It is called the Egeberg's honorary award and has been awarded since 1919. The award is considered to be extra prestigious in Norway because it goes to someone who has made good results in two different sports.
Over the years, the award has gone to Norwegian icons such as Oddvar Brå, Ole Einar Björndalen and Ingrid Kristiansen.
Now it has attracted attention in Norway that the ski association nominated Therese Johaug for the award. This despite her being suspended for doping.
- Yes, it was approved by the board in March this year, confirms the Norwegian ski association's press manager Gro Eide.
Therese Johaug has taken one Olympic gold and ten World Cup gold, but also holds a high class in athletics and became Norwegian champion at 10,000 meters last year. Thus, she is sportingly qualified to receive the award.
But her doping judgment means that many have questioned that she should even be able to ask for it. Johaug got stuck in a doping check in 2016, claiming she got anabolic steroids via a lip balm.
The star was sentenced to 18 months of suspension and missed the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics, among others. Since the comeback in November 2018, she has dominated the sport completely.
Börre Rognlien, who chairs the prize committee, does not want to comment on who has been nominated for the award, which will be awarded later this year.