Ten individual gold medals in World Ski Championships and four Olympic gold titles define the career of Norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug. Emerging from the village of Dalsbygda, she established a dominant presence in international winter sports, consistently topping distance standings and securing multiple overall FIS Cross-Country World Cup victories during her tenure on the world stage.
Early Success and Breakthrough
Johaug began competing in domestic races during the 2006 season. By 2007, her performance at the Norwegian Championships earned her a place in the Sapporo World Championships, where she claimed a bronze medal in the 30 km event. Her first individual World Championship gold followed in 2011 at Oslo in the 30 km mass start, complemented by a relay victory.
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Her first Olympic gold arrived during the 2010 Vancouver Games as part of the 4x5 km relay team. In the 2013-14 season, she became the first Norwegian woman to win the Tour de Ski, a feat she repeated in 2015-16 by overcoming significant time deficits on the final climb of Alpe Cermis. Her consistency across World Cup seasons earned her three overall titles and five distance titles.
Doping Suspension and Athletics Transition
Between October 2016 and April 2018, Johaug served an 18-month ban following a positive test for clostebol. The Court of Arbitration for Sport determined she had failed to check the packaging of an ointment provided by team physician Fredrik Bendiksen. Outside of skiing, she pursued athletics, winning the 10,000 metres at the 2019 Norwegian national championship with a time of 32:20.87.
Retirement
After a decorated career spanning nearly two decades, Johaug formally announced her retirement from competition in May 2025. This decision came less than a year prior to the scheduled 2026 Olympic Games, marking the conclusion of her professional tenure in both cross-country skiing and athletics.
Fast facts
- Born: 1988, Dalsbygda, Norway
- Olympic medals: 4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
- World Championship medals: 14 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze
- 2019 Aftenposten Gold Medal recipient
- 2020 Egebergs Ærespris winner
- Retired: May 2025
- 10,000m personal best: 31:33.15
Questions readers ask
Why was Therese Johaug suspended?
She received an 18-month ban for a doping violation involving clostebol, which she claimed was from a medicated ointment supplied by a team doctor.
Did she compete in other sports?
Yes, she competed in athletics, specifically the 10,000 metres, winning the national championship in 2019.
Achievements
- Aftenposten Gold Medal — 2019
- Represented IL Nansen and SK Vidar
- Competed at 2010 Winter Olympics, 2014 Winter Olympics and cross-country skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics – women's 10 kilometre classical
- Discipline: cross-country skiing and athletics
