When the national cross-country team for next season was presented at the end of April, Johaug’s name was not on the list of selected athletes.
However, the national team has reserved a place for the 35-year-old if she wants to make a comeback for the upcoming WC season.
So far, Johaug has still not confirmed whether there will be a comeback or not, so those interested in cross-country skiing in Norway still have to be patient.
Johaug’s possible comeback in the cross-country track has been one of the biggest talking points in the cross-country world this spring, and there was no less interest in this after the 35-year-old smashed all the competitors at the NM three-mile in March.
Also read: Therese Johaug enters a new industry: – The work is quite intense during the day
– I’m tired
Nor do cross-country skiing profiles in Russia escape questions about the possible comeback. The latest is the Olympic medalist from Turin in 2006, Ivan Alypov.
The 42-year-old has put his skis on the shelf, but he has both Olympic bronze and several podium finishes from the World Cup on his track record.
He begins by saying that he believes Johaug has what it takes to return to the top level.
– Johaug has already shown that she is top. I saw a bit of her winning in a NM race by more than two minutes to her nearest pursuer. I fully admit that Johaug will return at a high level, says Alypov to Championat.
However, the Russian is not happy about a possible Johaug comeback, as he does not think it is interesting to see Norwegians dominating cross-country skiing.
– I am tired of seeing Norwegians fighting with Norwegians. Today, international competitions do not arouse my interest, because our athletes are not there, he says.
As you know, the Russian athletes are banned from international competitions because of the war in Ukraine.
Also read: Weng turns around Johaug
Optimism in Norway
In Norway, however, there seems to be more positivity about Johaug’s possible comeback.
National team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad hopes that Johaug will aim for the World Cup in Trondheim next season, and at the same time he keeps the door open for a national team place for the 35-year-old.
– 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, he told Nettavisen in connection with the national team selection.
Also read: Speeding up the speculation about Johaug
Nettavisen columnist Ernst A. Lersveen believes that the national team’s employment of Johaug’s former personal trainer, Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass, is good news for those hoping that Johaug will make a comeback.
“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 Lersveen when the employment of Mikkelsplass and Marit Bjørgen was announced.
