Norway’s Therese Johaug has openly talked about her return thoughts. The 50 km race of the 2025 World Ski Championships in Trondheim is of interest to Norway’s skiing giants.
The Norwegian skier who retreated from the sharpest peak in cross-country skiing Therese Johaug has revealed that participating in the 50 km race at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim is always on his mind.
– Many people ask me about the subject and I ask these questions to myself as well, Johaug tells the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.
Johaug, 35, reveals that the issue is also on the surface for her and her husband Nils Jakob Hoffin in discussions.
– Nils Jakob asks me about coming back, and when training feels good, I think positively about it. Then the next day I go for a run and think I’m so ripe for this. My emotions go wild.
However, the skiing nation still has to wait for Johaug’s actual decision.
The first 50 kilometer race is interesting
Johaug’s participation in the home games could be considered a jackpot for Norway, for example in terms of ticket sales revenue.
In addition, the country’s female skiers have performed poorly in this year’s World Cup. However, Johaug is not interested in touring the World Cup, sprint competitions or, for example, the Tour de Ski.
Johaug has previously said that he is interested in returning to the World Cup tracks and he has emphasized that the home races would be the perfect opportunity to make a comeback. The topic started to be discussed immediately when Johaug announced his decision to quit in March 2022.
– I have to honestly admit that I am hugely intrigued by the idea of the first women’s 50 km race at the World Championships and that it will in Trondheim.
Johaug has also never hidden the fact that he made his decision to quit a year too early. There was still motivation to compete at the top, but starting a family was the main priority at the time.
At the same time, the family is one of the reasons for Johaug’s current indecisiveness. She had her first child in the spring of 2023 Kristin’s.
– I haven’t set myself a date. But yes, at some point I have to decide. I have to practice more, but also see if it makes sense in the middle of family work with Nils Jakob and Kristin. These things knock at the same time in the conscience.
Still subject to doping testing
Johaug trains about 18 hours a week, while during his active career he spent 20–30 training hours. He says that he will raise his training level again to the level of a top athlete, if he locks in his decision to return.
In addition, Johaug has been continuously under the Adams anti-doping system, which would allow him to return. Top skiers, among other things Petter Northug and Marit Bjørgen left the mandatory doping tests after finishing.
– I never left Adams out. So I have been tested several times. Among other things, in the fall and now a couple of weeks ago.
– I have also been tested during pregnancy, which is a really good thing and at the same time proof that the system works up to date. If the matter had not been taken care of, one would think that, for example, athletes who had children would quickly enter competitions again without testing.