Photo: Bildbyrån
Eight years ago, Therese Johaug was suspended for 18 months after testing positively on a doping test.
In Sweden, some still believe she is a cheater. It is a stamp that is difficult to wash away.
-What happened to Therese can also happen to a Swedish, says TV2 expert Petter Solng Skinstad to the Sports Bible.
She has won 14 World Cup gold and three Olympic gold. Yet Therese Johaug36, not satisfied. The Norwegian actually ended his career as early as 2022 to become a mother and invest in other projects, but before this season it was clear that she would make a new venture for the World Cup at home in Trondheim. Now she is one of the really big gold favorites at several distances.
Went well for johaug since the comeback
The Norwegians have during the season seen a Johaug who again wins and wins. She won the entire Tour de Ski, even though she had first decided that she would not be present this year. In addition, she has stood for great results in the World Cup in Lillehammer, Ruka and Davos.
– It’s a bit: “Finally she’s back”. So most people think. But some think she wins, as she did in Val di Fiemme, during the Tour de Ski, and in Lillehammer at the World Cup in the same way she did before. That it is not so exciting. The Norwegian audience is probably a bit divided there. First and foremost it is about winning, says TV2 expert Petter Solng Skinstad to the Sports Bible.
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After Johaug ended in 2022, the Norwegian dominance at the World Cup and the World Cup disappeared. Instead, the Swedes stepped Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson ahead and took care. The Norwegian women’s skiers suddenly had some worse years.
– Norway does not like to be such a “second -hand nation” where there is no struggle for the medals and the feeling that “if we get someone on the podium it is good”. It does not fit Norway. We want to be involved in fighting for the gold and then it is positive to have Johaug back and Astrid Öyre Slind Seeing we have taken big steps. Heidi Weng Also looks like himself again. It is exciting with so many good Norwegians on the women’s side, says Solng Skinstad.
Swedish distrust against Johaug
Here in Sweden, Therese Johaug has found it difficult to succeed in washing her stamp as a cheater, which she received after the doping scandal in 2016. She was caught after a doping test when found traces of the forbidden preparation Clostebol. The Norwegian had smeared the lips with the cream trofodermin, which has a clear warning text on the package. Johaug was closed off 18 months and missed the Olympics in Pyeongchang 2018.
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Many Swedes who sit and watch the World Cup in Trondheim still think that Johaug is to be considered a cheater. Once doped, always doped.
– Yes, and I understand. You have to think that. But those who are actually familiar with what happened and those who know Therese and the doctor and the union have no reason to believe that it was anything other than a big mistake. A thunderstorm!, Says Petter Solng Skinstad.
Solng Skinstad defends Therese Johaug
The expert admits that it was all a very rough miss by Johaug herself, her doctor and also by the Norwegian ski association. They did not handle the event well.
– It was very poorly managed, it was a solid mistake. No doubt that she had used the preparation and that it was on the doping list. It was absolutely correct that she was punished.
At the same time, he moves in and defends Therese and says she absolutely did not dop herself with diligence. She is not a cheater.
– In Norway, most people think it was a mistake and not conscious doping. There is a big difference, he says and continues:
– What happened to Therese can also happen to a Swedish or an American rider, or anyone.
How do you think it goes for Therese Johaug during the World Cup in Trondheim? Does she take some gold medals or is she stopped by our Swedish riders? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us what you see in front of you!
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