Jan Schmid

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Jan Schmid, b. november 1983, is a Norwegian^[1] nordic combined skier, of Swiss origin. He finished seventh in the 4 x 5 km team event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He has taken part in two Winter Olympic games and two World Championships for Switzerland.

1 Background
2 Change of nationality
3 Family
4 External links

[edit] Background

Schmid was born in Norway, speaks Norwegian, and has lived in city of Trondheim all of his life. Until recently he only had a Swiss passport due to the fact that both of his parents are Swiss citizens.^[2]

[edit] Change of nationality

The circumstances of Schmid's transfer from the Swiss to the Norwegian ski federation are unusual and was discussed at the International Ski Federation Council meeting in 2006. The Swiss ski federation required that Schmid pay a transfer fee of 120.000 Norwegian Kroner^[3] (approx USD 23.000) as compensation. Transfer fees of this kind are unheard of in the ski sport. The consequences of not paying the fee would have left Schmid in quarantine for a year. It was also a matter of some urgency for Schmid due to the legal complications that could arise if he did not change his nationality before his 23rd birthday.

[edit] Family

Schmid's mother, Ruth Schmid, is the leader of the Nordic combined committee in the Norwegian ski federation. Jan's five years younger brother, Tommy Schmid, is currently on the Swiss national ski team.