Therese Johaug’s potential comeback before the WC in Trondheim in 2025 has been a topic of conversation for a long time. Rumors of participation gained fertile ground when the initially retired skier outclassed the competitors in the three-mile race at the National Championships.
One of those who have been skeptical of a Johaug comeback is former teammate Heidi Weng. As recently as last autumn, she believed that it “would take a lot” for the 35-year-old to return.
That point of view has changed recently.
– If you had asked me two years ago, I would have been surprised if she came back. But now I’ll be more surprised if she doesn’t come back. It has changed a lot, yes. I was sure that she had put it on the shelf and was focusing on something else, says Weng to Nettavisen.
The two were together on the national team for several years, until Johaug gave up in 2022. Weng was recently selected for the team again, but to Nettavisen she hinted at a planned career end. When and where, however, she would not reveal.
Also read: Heidi Weng announces the end of her career: – I thought it was going to be the end of me
Will help Johaug
After Johaug put her skis on the shelf, she has both married and had children. However, it does not seem to have put an end to hard training sessions and participation in several hiking and long-distance races.
When the national team was selected a few weeks ago, she was not on the list, but there is little doubt that the former cross-country star is wanted there.
– We keep the door open. If Therese wants to bet, then it shouldn’t be up to us. Then we will help her with the WC preparations. We hope and believe that she will bet and that she will join us, says trainer Sjur Ole Svarstad to Nettavisen.
Recently he lost his partner, Stig Rune Kveen, which meant that the national team had to look for a replacement for the coaching staff. It ended with Per Gunnar Mikkelsplass and Marit Bjørgen. The appointments did not put a damper on the speculation surrounding a Johaug comeback – quite the opposite.
“Yes, with her coach, Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass, in the coaching team, there must also be a positive contribution for Therese Johaug aiming for the WC on home soil. Mikkelsplass was her coach during the period when Johaug was banned. And then she came back stronger than ever”, wrote Nettavisen commentator Ernst A. Lersveen when the appointment was announced.
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Given time to think
The national team themselves say that they have not set a deadline for Johaug’s decision, but are very open to her making a comeback. Then with good help from the association.
– I have deliberately made little use of Therese. She probably gets questions about her form and whether she should commit to next year every single day. We have a relaxed relationship about it, but I have spoken to her a few times. She will be given the time it takes to find out if this is what she wants to go for next year. She knows very well what it means to go “all in” and I understand that she needs to think about it a bit, says Svarstad.
He is the coach of a women’s national team that has received criticism for its achievements in recent years. After the biggest star put his skis on the shelf, no one has taken over the role of medal wholesaler.
Ahead of a new winter, two new names have joined the team. Including Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, who says that you have to train hard so that the gap to Johaug will be much smaller.
– I am very impressed with Therese and what she achieves. She has a child and does so much outside, but is still so good. She is a super person, says the 23-year-old to Nettavisen.
The WC in Trondheim will be held at the turn of February/March next year.
