Therese Johaug, the Norwegian cross-country skiing legend, has found herself at the center of public scrutiny once again. Known for her unparalleled achievements, including four Olympic golds and 14 world championship titles, Johaug’s recent comments have sparked a wave of criticism. However, she has found an unexpected ally in her Swedish rival, Maja Dahlqvist, who has come to her defense in a candid interview on Expressen’s ski podcast, Vallaboden.
“People don’t understand,” Dahlqvist remarked, addressing the backlash Johaug has faced. This statement highlights the complexities of being a top athlete in the public eye, were every word and action is dissected. Johaug, who recently announced her comeback with sights set on the 2025 World Championship in Trondheim, has been vocal about her frustrations.
The support from Dahlqvist,a fierce competitor on the slopes,underscores the mutual respect among athletes despite their rivalries. Johaug’s return to the sport has been met with mixed reactions, but her determination remains unwavering. “I feel that I’m not quite done with skiing,” she has said,a sentiment that resonates with her fans and peers alike.To better understand the context of Johaug’s journey, here’s a summary of her key achievements and recent developments:
| Key Facts | Details |
|———————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Olympic Gold Medals | 4 |
| World Championship Gold Medals | 14 |
| Comeback Announcement | Aiming for the 2025 World Championship in Trondheim [2] |
| Recent Support | Maja Dahlqvist defends Johaug on Vallaboden podcast |
Johaug’s legacy as one of Norway’s most celebrated athletes is undeniable. Her return to the sport not only excites fans but also sets the stage for a thrilling showdown at the upcoming World Championship. As Dahlqvist aptly put it, the challenges Johaug faces are frequently enough misunderstood, a reminder of the pressures that come with being a global sports icon.For those eager to dive deeper into the conversation, the full episode of Vallaboden featuring Maja Dahlqvist is available on Spotify. Listen in to hear firsthand insights from one of Sweden’s top skiers as she discusses life, competition, and her perspective on Johaug’s journey.Johaug’s story is far from over. with her eyes firmly set on Trondheim 2025, the skiing world watches with anticipation as this legend prepares to write the next chapter of her storied career.Therese Johaug, the Norwegian ski queen, has expressed her frustration with hobby skiers who interrupt her training sessions. “Ther are some exercisers who lie on my skis and want to test themselves a bit.Then I hear: ‘I thought you went faster. there will be no gold of this,’” Johaug told NRK. The 36-year-old athlete finds the behavior of these recreational skiers particularly annoying during her workouts across Norway.
helene Marie Fossesholm Håler,another prominent skier,shares similar sentiments. “It is annoying when you go around and talk to a friend you haven’t seen in a long time and then there will be a wildly foreign person. It’s a little special. Then you feel: ‘My God, let’s be at peace,’” the 23-year-old explained to NRK.
Maja Dahlqvist, the only Swedish national team member training daily in Norway, has also experienced the challenges of sharing training tracks with enthusiastic skiers. She and her boyfriend Kevin Bolger recently moved to Trondheim, where the World Cup will be held in a month. Dahlqvist recounted her experience during the Christmas holidays: “Then I went slalom. There were so many people out in the tracks. I was like a tourist and really couldn’t understand how many people were out,” she shared on Expressen’s ski pod Vallaboden.
However, Dahlqvist feels she has been spared from intrusive comments compared to her time in falun, Sweden. “I haven’t had as many people following me or make comments. It was more like that when I lived at home in Falun. People do not understand how slowly we go when we go quietly. They think we drive full blow all the time,” she said.
When asked if she is as well-known in Norway as in Falun, Dahlqvist responded, “No, I don’t think so. Above all, the Norwegians drive in national team clothes. I might potentially be a little more anonymous in Norway.”
This weekend, Dahlqvist is competing in the World Cup in Cogne but has decided to skip the SM in Borås next week. “If I choose the World Cup, it will be wrong. If I choose the SM, it will be wrong. And if I run everything, it will be wrong too. So I have to listen to myself and realize that the World Cup is the big goal,” she explained.
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Therese Johaug’s Annoyance | Hobby skiers interrupt her training with comments and challenges. |
| Helene Fossesholm’s Experience | Finds it frustrating when strangers intrude on personal conversations. |
| Maja Dahlqvist’s Observations | Noticed crowded tracks in Norway but feels more anonymous than in Sweden. |
| World Cup Focus | Dahlqvist prioritizes the World Cup over other competitions.|
These athletes’ experiences highlight the unique challenges of training in public spaces, where the line between admiration and intrusion can often blur.
