johaug’s World Cup Performance Clouded by Concealed Illness, Coach Admits
norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug competed at the 2023 World Cup in Granåsen while battling an undisclosed illness, a fact concealed from the public with a “white lie,” according to national team coach Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplats. The revelation, made in a recent interview with Expressen, sheds light on the circumstances surrounding Johaug’s performance at the championship, where she secured three silver medals and one bronze but missed out on gold by narrow margins.
Just weeks before the World Cup, Johaug unexpectedly withdrew from the final world Cup weekend in Falun, with the explanation given being a desire to focus on preparation for the home championship. Mikkelsplats, who was also Johaug’s personal trainer for many years, now confirms this wasn’t the full story.
“A white lie? Yes, you can say,” Mikkelsplats told Expressen. “But you want to put a lid on such a situation, if something has happened that means you can’t train well.”
Johaug herself revealed this summer that her daughter, Kristin, had infected her with the flu approximately three weeks before the World Cup began. “She gave me the flu. She got stomach sick, and I got stomach sick.suddenly it is three weeks for the World Cup,and I have been sick for a week,” Johaug stated to Expressen.
Despite the illness, Johaug returned from the World Cup with a medal haul, finishing just seconds behind the gold medalists in each of her respective races. Mikkelsplats acknowledged the benefit of transparency, stating, “That’s a very good question.Really. It is often good to try to be as honest as possible about everything. Then you do not need to hide anything from those around you.”
(© NTB)
