After the doping sentence of 18 months, Therese Johaug was back in the ski track just a year ago and swept clean: She won three World Cup gold in Seefeld, among others. During the summer and autumn, Johaug has tested on track and became Norwegian champion at 10000 meters and this weekend she also won the Norwegian cross-country championships.
This makes Johaug a conceivable candidate for Egeberg's honorary award, which is awarded to an active student who has excelled in at least two different sports. Now, voices are being raised in Norway to prevent Johaug from being awarded the prize because she has a doping sentence.
"It should be obvious not to get an honorary award when you receive a doping judgment because it is more than sporting criteria that must be evaluated," sports lawyer Robin Mackenzie-Robinson told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet and is supported by VG journalist Leif Welhaven.
Björgen: "Therese should be obvious"Johaug's former national team colleague and friend, Marit Björgen, goes contrary:
- I think Therese should receive Egeberg's honorary award. That should be obvious. I think she should get it for the sake of her achievements and she is a very good role model for the sport and meets all the criteria, ”says Björgen.
The statutes state that the prize-winner should be a good role model for sports values. That is what is at the heart of the discussion.
Anders Södergren supports Johaug in the discussion:
- Therese is a fantastic ambassador for ski sports and shows that she can claim incredibly well in other sports as well, says Södergren.
Even from the Engeberg jury, the thumbs up for Johaug.
- I would like to remind you that Therese is not convicted of doping but of negligence. It seems that some lawyers are more Catholic than the Pope himself. We have to distinguish between pears and apples, says jury chairman Börre Rognlien.