Therese Johaug,โข the celebratedโ Norwegian cross-country skier, โฃhas โpublicly voiced โคstrong โopposition to the burgeoning trendโ of weight-loss medications, calling for an outrightโ ban. Johaug expressedโ her concerns on November 14, 2025, citing potential health risks and unfair competitive advantages โฃwithin sports.
The debate surrounding โคthese drugs-primarily GLP-1 receptor agonists-has intensified in recent months as โคtheir popularity surges beyond โmedical prescriptions forโข obesity andโฃ diabetes,extending โขinto recreationalโ use and athletic โcircles. Johaug’s stance arrives as Norwegian sports authorities grapple with establishing clear guidelines regarding the use of such substances, with implicationsโข for athlete health, fair play, andโ the integrity of competition. The stakes are high, perhaps reshaping the landscape of professional athletics and public health perceptions of body โimage.
“I think it’s incredibly dangerous,” Johaug stated, according to reporting by VGTV. “These medicines โcanโข have โseriousโ side effects, and I’m worried about the long-term consequences for people’s health.It’s also notโฃ fair to thoseโ whoโข achieve their results through hard work andโข dedication.”
Johaug’s comments comeโข amid growing scrutiny of the medications’ impact on โขathletic โperformance. While not currently prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the drugs’ ability to suppress appetite andโ potentially enhance endurance raises ethical โquestions about their use in competitive sports. The Norwegian Olympic Committee is currently reviewing the โsituation and considering potential policy changes.
The athlete’s concerns echo those of medical professionals whoโ caution against the widespread, non-medical use of these powerful drugs. Commonโ side effects include nausea, vomiting, โขand diarrhea, while longer-term risks are still beingโ studied. The accessibility of โฃthese medications through onlineโ pharmacies and unregulated channels further exacerbates โthe concerns.
