Johaug Eyes 2026 Olympics
She’s backbronzed, blistering, and as bold as ever.
Three-time Olympic champion Therese Johaug is skiing her way into the headlines once again. After stepping away from competitive cross-country skiing following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the Norwegian dynamo recently teased a potential comeback for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. And let’s be honestwho wouldn’t want to see the queen of the tracks lace up her skis one more time for a final frosty curtain call?
A Comeback as Icy as It Is Fiery
This week, speaking at a promotional event, Johaug dropped what can only be described as a blizzard-level bombshell: she’s considering racing for gold in 2026. That’s rightthe woman who once left her competitors gasping like they were skiing with sandbags might once again return to the Olympic arena.
“I really miss the excitement around competitions,” Johaug said with her characteristic sparkle. “I won’t make any promises now, but it’s definitely something I think about.”
The 35-year-old Norwegian remains one of the sport’s most decorated and respected athletes. Her retirement surprised many after a powerhouse performance in Beijing where she nabbed three gold medalsa graceful exit that felt more like a mic drop than a farewell.
From Motherhood to Medal Dreams
Since her last Olympic appearance, Johaug embraced a new chapter in life: motherhood. She gave birth to her first child in 2023. But as other elite athletes have recently provenfrom Allyson Felix to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Prycemotherhood and podiums are no longer mutually exclusive.
“Becoming a mom gave me perspective,” Johaug mentioned. “But it also reignited my passion for the sport. I want to show my daughter what it means to chase your dreams.”
Let’s be clear: Johaug’s version of “chasing dreams” usually involves shattering ski poles, melting snow under her speed, and redefining endurance. In other words, if she’s thinking about Milan-Cortina, her competitors had better start training yesterday.
Competition: Younger, Faster, Hungrier?
If she does return, Johaug won’t find the trail empty. The field is teeming with fierce young talents eager to carve their names into Olympic history. Norway alone has a new generation of rising stars in the women’s distance events, each hungry for international glory.
But Johaug brings with her an unmatched blend of experience, mental toughness, and a fitness freak level of motivation. In 2017, she served an 18-month suspension and returned stronger than evera testament to her resilience and iron will.
“I know what it takes,” she said with a knowing smile. “It’s not easy. But if I decide to go for it, I’ll go all in.”
The Sport Needs HerAnd She Might Need It Too
Make no mistake: Johaug is more than a skier. She’s a media magnet, a role model, and a living symbol of Scandinavian sports culture. A return to the Olympic stage would not only draw massive viewer interest but could also elevate the sport’s profile globally.
And for Johaug, the finish line on Olympic competition may feel incomplete without an epic farewell. After all, what better sendoff than grinding through the snow-draped Dolomites with the world watching?
The Final Stretch
Though she hasn’t confirmed anything yet, the fact that she’s even entertaining a comeback has stirred excitement in the cross-country community. With the 2026 Games still two seasons away, she has time to preparenot that she’s probably let herself get too out of shape to begin with.
“If I return, it’s because I know I can compete at the highest level again,” she said. “I don’t do things halfway.”
One More Lap for the Legend?
Whether it’s a calculated tease or the start of another golden chapter, the possibility of Therese Johaug showing up in Milan-Cortina wearing the Norwegian red-and-blue uniform again is enough to send shiversnot just from the cold, but from sheer anticipation.
The ski world just might get another look at its reigning monarch charging through the snow like only she can.
Photo courtesy of Idaho State Journal / AP
