Norwegian Skier Faces Big Challenge This Winter World Championships

Norwegian Skier Faces Big Challenge This Winter World Championships

Norwegian cross-country skier Didrik Tönseth had been aiming to culminate his career at next winter's World Championships in Trondheim, but a bout of mycoplasma illness has introduced a significant uncertainty for the 33-year-old athlete.

‘’The World Championships feel very far away now,’’ Tönseth commented to Norway's public broadcaster NRK.

Mycoplasma is currently circulating in Finland this autumn as well, and prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it was a common ailment among athletes. In Tönseth’s case, it has left him bedridden.

‘’The illness affects the lungs. The fever rose abruptly,’’ the skier explained.

A prolonged illness could even end an athlete’s career, but some recover relatively quickly.

Tönseth won relay World Championship gold medals in 2015 and 2017, and he has placed in numerous World Cup races, most recently finishing third last December at the World Championship trails in Trondheim.

The Trondheim World Ski Championships are set to begin on February 26.