Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"

Norwegian skiing star Therese Johaug was banned in 2016 for testing positive for the steroid clostebol. Now she is sharing her experiences in a campaign against doping. It was a lesson for me, she says.

» Published: January 15 2025

Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"
Photo: Geir Olsen/NTB/TT

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Johaug was banned for 18 months, which meant she missed the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang 2018.

The star ingested the banned steroid clostebol through a lip salve, something for which the then national team doctor Fredrik Bendiksen took responsibility, as he had mistakenly not compared the cream's contents with the doping list.

It was a lesson for me. I don't want anyone to end up in the situation I ended up in, says Johaug in the campaign video.

It's actually only the athlete's own responsibility. You shouldn't accept medication from coaches or doctors without checking it yourself, she adds.

The Norwegian anti-doping agency, together with the International Ski Federation, has launched the campaign.

Johaug ended her career in 2022, but is making a comeback this season and has impressed, including a total victory in the Tour de Ski. Her big goal is the World Championship on home soil in Trondheim on February 26–March 9.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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