Sports expert Toni Roponen believes that Therese Johaug’s decision to end her racing career this season is understandable. The success of the Beijing Olympics was probably a crucial step in the decision.
Therese Johaugin the announcement to end his career after this season was not a big surprise. Sports Expert Toni Roposen however, he thinks his career ends in a rare way.
– He’s at an absolute peak. Three Olympic golds and a finish. There are not an awful lot of them who have finished their careers at an absolute peak. Samppa Lajunen and Marjo Matikainen quit, but quite a few quit at that point, Roponen said.
– It also reflects how well Johaug is in his financial position through his own business.
The 33-year-old Johaug had to miss the Pyeongchang Olympics because of a ban on competition, so the pressure to get personal Olympic gold was quite high at the Beijing Games.
– I think he has had some long-term discussions with himself, that if he succeeds perfectly in Beijing, then it is a good place to stop. And of course if she, as a woman, wants to build a family in her life, then the decision must be understood, Roponen reminded.
Therese Johaug has been a sovereign in women’s normal travel in recent years. According to Roponen, the Norwegian will remain one of the most powerful female skiers in history.
– In top sports, we want evenness and hope that as many people as possible will succeed and succeed in competitions, but in a way, sovereign stars have always been glorified. People who have been able to rise to a level that others cannot reach, Roponen said.
– Lionel Messi, Roger Federer, Michael Jordan, Petter NorthugJohaug… People love stories when someone is able to be superior to others.
The end of Johaug’s racing career leaves a huge gap in Norwegian skiing, but Roponen also sees the situation as a new opportunity: with his termination, Johaug will always free up one place in the ranks for value races and World Cup regular trips.
– It brings interest to the competition, who will take the place of its winner and number one woman? Is it Frida Karlsson, Krista Pärmäkoski, Natalia Nepryaeva or Kerttu Niskanen? All the best in women’s top skiing know that now is a great opportunity to take on the role of queen, Roponen reflected.
– Johaug leaves a huge gap for Norwegian skiing, but he gives the opportunity for new stars to rise internationally.