A Glimpse into Therese Johaug's Comeback Plans

Therese Johaug, the Norwegian cross-country skiing superstar, has announced her return to competitive skiing this winter, although she emphasizes that this comeback will be short-lived. Notably, she has ruled out participation in the upcoming 2026 Olympics.

Johaug's anticipated comeback has created a buzz in the winter sports community. Following a two-year hiatus, she will return to the World Cup circuit but clearly states that her focus is solely on this season. In a candid interview with SVT Sport, she remarked, "It’s only Trondheim left, then I’m done."

The two-time Olympic champion has made it quite clear that the 2026 Olympics are off the table: "It’s absolutely certain." Her comeback journey is set to conclude at the World Championships in March, which will take place in her home country of Norway.

Johaug boasts an impressive resume, having secured four Olympic gold medals and an additional fourteen golds from World Championships. She finished her last Olympic appearance in Beijing with three golds and clinched her most recent World Championship title in Oberstdorf in 2021. This season, she aims to bolster her accolades, beginning her competitive journey on November 29 in Ruka, Finland, as she gears up to be in peak form.

The Road to the World Championships

To compete in the World Championships, Johaug must first qualify through the World Cup series. This past March, well before she made her comeback announcement in August, she proved her enduring skill by winning the 30 km race at the Norwegian Championships in Lillehammer, finishing with a considerable lead just two years post-retirement.

In August, Johaug took to social media to announce her return: "After two eventful years away from the track, I want to give the dream of the World Championship on my home tracks a chance. In 2022, I put my skis on the shelf to start a family, but I have continued to train because it brings me so much joy."

It remains to be seen whether Johaug can reignite her dominance in the sport, as the Norwegian women’s team has struggled since her retirement, with only two skiers finishing in the top 20 during the last World Cup season.