Johaug was crying like a beaver. She fell on doping. “I’m innocent”. Norway did not believe it

Therese Johaug left no illusions to the rivals in the combined race, which opened the rivalry of runners in. The silver was won by Russian Natalia Niepriajewa, and the bronze by Teresa Stadlober from Austria.

Johaug was losing to Bjoergen and Kowalczyk. She later fell into doping

It is the long-awaited Olympic gold medal for the first individual in her career. Conquered after the passes. Although racing fans have known her for a long time, the Norwegian woman has not been able to play a leading role so far. First she lost with her compatriot and Justyna Kowalczyk, and then she fell into doping.

An anabolic steroid – clostebol was detected in the body of the Norwegian star in the fall of 2016. The runner explained that it was not her fault. The substance was to enter her body by applying ointment to burned lips. This was to be provided by the personnel physician. – I’m in shock. Doping without your own fault is an athlete’s worst nightmare. But I will not give up, I will fight to prove that I am innocent – she said during a conference organized by the Norwegian ski association. During it she cried like a beaver.

Some may have believed her, but she was punished. First, she was suspended for two months by the Norwegian anti-doping agency. “Johaug is not innocent,” said representatives of the institutions. Some time later she heard the sentence of 13 months’ disqualification. Thus, she lost the world championship in Lahti, but had a chance for the games in Pyeongchang. The International Ski Federation, which appealed to the Arbitration Tribunal for Sport, did not agree with this verdict. CAS agreed to the FIS arguments and extended Johaug’s disqualification to 18 months. And in Korea she did not run.

Johaug’s translation was doubtful. A Polish woman in the social media published a photo of the ointment wrapping that Therese was supposed to use. “£ Nice Packaging” – wrote the two-time Olympic champion ironically. However, not only she did not believe that clostebol was found in the Norwegian body by accident. – The situation that has emerged is unclear and incomprehensible. It seems impossible to me that a competitor or a doctor could omit the information that clearly indicated a prohibited substance on the box. I believe that the use of this ointment may have been just a cover – said Apoloniusz Tajner, president of PZN.

She was the favorite of Norwegian fans. Later, some of them turned around

The distrust of Johaug’s words was not only abroad, however. The Norwegian daily “Verdens Gang” conducted a poll of citizens shortly after the doping blast saw the light of day. People were asked if the runner deserved the punishment. As many as 52 percent of the respondents admitted then that they could not imagine a situation in which Johaug could avoid being punished. 28 percent of people claimed that the punishment for an athlete should be light. In their opinion, two months would be enough. 17 percent of those polled believed that Therese had to be suspended for a year, and the remaining seven percent were in favor of a two-year suspension.

Only 32 percent of respondents were in favor of finding Johaug innocent. In an instant, the audience’s favorite turned into a suspect. – Therese Johaug is more than an athlete. Icon. Someone once wrote that it is something most Norwegian that exists in Norway at all – said Tomasz Wandzel, a Pole living in Norway, quoted by.

And some people turned away from her. For a few more years, the Norwegian forums continued to discuss its mishap. “Johaug can win whatever he wants, but she is still suspect and not the best example to follow”; “I understand that she cried and was extremely upset when the case came to light, but that she continues to groan and blame others all the way back after disqualification is extremely untacted and immature”; “Disrespecting her! If she had apologized, it would have been completely different. […] Bad example to follow. “These are just a few comments from the Klikk.no forum.

The jumpers stuck a pin Johaug. They apologized, but the disgust remained. On Saturday she cried

However, Therese Johaug returned in the 2018/2019 season and showed that she is even stronger after the disqualification. In distance runs, it is difficult to overcome. At the world championships in 2019 and 2021, she won the titles of the world champion in combined and 10 km and 30 km runs. After all, she has to deal with the comments referring to her doping blooper from time to time. In the summer of 2020, when she was running on a track, she wanted to participate in the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm. The organizers, however, did not agree to this. The reason was her cheering past.

It happens that her countrymen still remark about disqualifications. This was the case after this year’s gala, during which the athletes of the year in Norway were selected. The 14-time world champion won among women. This upset the local ski jumpers. – I think that too many awards go to people who – strictly speaking – should not be nominated – he said in the “Hoppcast” podcast. – There are many good players in Norway, but yesterday the award went to a convict for doping in a very small sport – said Johann Andre Forfang.

– I apologized directly to Therese for my sloppy comment. I would also like to make it clear to everyone else that the comment was addressed to the Sports Gala and not directly to Theresa, he wrote to the Norwegian daily “Verdens Gang”.

Nevertheless, the Norwegian woman did not give up, because she had someone to count on. She spoke about it on Saturday, when she achieved her greatest sports dream. With tears in her eyes, she remembered one of the richest Norwegians – Torbjoern Johannson, who died a few days ago. – He has been supporting me for 15 years, especially in the years when I was disqualified. He stood behind me with my back straight and supported me through all the difficult years. I ran for him today – she said in an interview with “VG”.