Legendary Norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug has her sights set on conquering a new athletic peak. Following the conclusion of her incredible career in winter sports, the highly decorated athlete plans to participate in the marathon event at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This ambitious step comes in the wake of her impressive triumph and phenomenal results in road running distances.
The catalyst for such bold statements was Johaug's successful performance at the Copenhagen half marathon held on September 20. Despite competing as an amateur, the Norwegian clocked a time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 43 seconds, which would have secured her a prestigious 19th place in the elite women's professional race. The athlete herself admits that with such figures, she has an excellent chance of successfully meeting the Olympic qualification standard.
Background and Running Success
It is worth noting that Therese's successes in track and field are not limited to the Danish half marathon alone. Earlier in April of this year, she triumphantly won the traditional 10k Sentrumslopet race in Oslo. Notably, this result was achieved just four months after the birth of her second child, further highlighting her unique physiological traits and colossal endurance reserve.
Official End of Skiing Career
To recap, Therese Johaug officially brought her illustrious cross-country skiing career to a close in 2025, permanently etching her name into world sports history as one of the most successful and dominant athletes on the planet. Her resume boasts numerous World Championship and Olympic gold medals, as well as victories in prestigious multi-stage tours, including triumphs at the Tour de Ski.
Controversial Data
While sports experts and fans enthusiastically discuss the prospects of the 38-year-old Norwegian transitioning to a summer Olympic sport, analysts point out certain challenges. Some specialists doubt whether the athlete's age by 2028 will allow her to compete against younger marathon specialists at the world level. Nevertheless, Johaug herself demonstrates ironclad confidence, relying on her current speed and power metrics.
