The Norwegian national team in cross-country skiing is teeming with stars and in February/March next year, the World Championship will take place in Trondheim. Moreover, one of the greatest female skiers of all time, Therese Johaug, is making a notable comeback this season.
However, not everything is rosy in Norwegian cross-country skiing right now.
The Ski Association has had financial problems for a longer period and went back with over 10 million Swedish kronor last year. Additionally, the association will lose two important main sponsors after this season.
According to Therese Johaug, it is a shared responsibility to work towards improving the situation.
It is the skiers' responsibility, yes. But it is also the Ski Association's and the sponsors' responsibility. We belong to the same team and must work together. We must find a way to make cross-country skiing popular even in the future, she says.
The 36-year-old is simultaneously not entirely worried.
It is very unfortunate that several sponsors have withdrawn at the same time. But we still know that cross-country skiing is very strong in Norway. So I am convinced that we will get new sponsors, she says.
