A prominent retirement in the winter sports scene. © Instagram

Retirement: Winter sports loses one of its biggest stars

A few weeks after the end of the season, there is a very prominent retirement to announce in winter sports.

26 May 2025

From: det

She is one of the greatest winter athletes of all time and proved last winter that she is still absolutely world-class, even at the age of 36. But now it's over: Cross-country skiing superstar Therese Johaug announced on Monday that she has definitively ended her career.

Why definitive? Well, Johaug had actually announced her retirement in 2022 and spent two years in retirement before deciding to make a sensational comeback last summer. Last winter, the cross-country skier, who is now also a mother, returned to the World Cup and showed that she's still world-class. Johaug won no fewer than seven races and won the prestigious Tour de Ski. Although the Scandinavian was denied a gold medal at her home World Championships in Trondheim, she still won four medals.

Therese Johaug won four World Championship medals in her comeback. © AFP / SEBASTIEN BOZON

Even then, there was speculation as to whether Johaug would finally end her career. Now, a few weeks after the end of the season, it's clear: the Norwegian is retiring – for good.

More time for the family

"After some time has passed since the season, I have decided to stop working towards the Olympics. It has been an adventure to be part of the team again this winter, and while I still love skiing, I feel a great need for more time with my family," Johaug wrote on Instagram.

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Therese (@johaugtherese)

With this, one of the greatest winter athletes of all time is retiring. Johaug has won no fewer than 14 World Championship gold medals and four Olympic gold medals. She also won the overall World Cup three times. Now her family is back in the spotlight.