Johaug made a comeback last season after a two-year break, among other things to become a mother for the first time. Naturally, the main focus of the comeback was the World Championship on home soil, in Trondheim. But instead of a new World Championship gold – the 50km was the big goal – she had to leave the championship with three disappointing silvers and a bronze.
But there will be no revenge in the Olympic Games next year. On Monday morning, she announced her decision on Instagram, and a few hours later, she met the press in Holmenkollen.
When everything had settled, I felt how much the last year has cost. I was very tired around Easter and I needed some time to come to terms with what I really wanted, says Johaug at a press conference, reports among others NTB.
In the World Championship skiathlon, she lost to Ebba Andersson on the finish line photo. Andersson won the 10km classical by 1.3 seconds. In the relay, Norway lost a sprint finish for the gold, and in the final 50km, she fell short by 2.9 seconds to Frida Karlsson.
The King tried to persuade
The missed gold medals in Trondheim made Johaug start to waver about whether she would run another season after all. Many therefore believed that she would announce on Monday that she would continue towards a final Olympic Games: Milan and Cortina 2026.
Her husband Nils Jakob Hoff had tried to persuade her to continue, Norway's King Harald and Crown Princess Mette-Marit likewise, writes NRK.
Prioritizing the family
It didn't help.
Therese Johaug thanks for herself.
I feel that I don't have the last little bit to run the Olympic Games, she says.
I decided myself a week and a half ago. It wasn't easy, but in the end, one has to make a choice and I went with my gut feeling.
During her career, she has collected 14 World Championship golds and 4 Olympic Games golds. She has also won the overall World Cup three times, the distance cup five times, and the Tour de Ski four times.
Born: 25 June (36 years old).
Main merits: 4 Olympic Games golds, 14 World Championship golds, and 11 additional championship medals. Has won the overall World Cup three times (2014, 2016, 2020) and the distance cup five times. 107 victories in the World Cup, of which 89 have come in individual events.
Current: Announced on Monday that she is ending her career.
