Maren Lundby was no longer the flawless ice queen.

Tears rolled down the glowing cheeks of the otherwise professional Norwegian, her voice broke, but the message of the best ski jumper in the world could be heard clearly.

“At the moment I have a few pounds too much to jump in the top of the world,” said the 27-year-old in a disturbing interview on TV station NRK: “And I'm not ready to do crazy things to change that . "

Lundby will therefore forego the entire Olympic season, the gold medal winner from Pyeongchang is not fighting for gold in Beijing.

That was bitter, "but a good decision," she said, "and I've always been pretty good at making good decisions."

In any case, it is about much more than herself: Lundby wants to set an example.

Against irresponsible external control over the body of ski jumpers, for the health of young athletes.

“Extreme demands are made in ski jumping, weight is one of them,” said the two-time world champion: “I have never controlled my weight irresponsibly, that is also part of my recipe for success.” And especially for young jumpers, “that is my message” should uncompromising weight control should be "not an issue": "You can destroy everything with it."

Leanness in competitive sports

As a normal citizen, Lundby would be far from weight “problems”.

Lundby said, however, that her body has changed a little “for natural reasons,” without being specific.

In the field of high-performance sport, most recently the scene of debates about leanness, as in the case of track and field athlete Konstanze Klosterhalfen, such a development can have catastrophic effects on young female athletes and create fatal pressure.

"I am happy.

In terms of health, I feel better than I have ever been, ”said Lundby.

To endanger this “only” for sport?

Not an issue for her, who recently had to be scolded “unprofessionally” because she skipped the summer season and danced in the Norwegian “Let's dance” version on TV.

With the standing and self-confidence of one of the most successful jumpers in history, it is easier to pull the brakes than for a young athlete, Lundby knows that.

Nevertheless, she wants to send a signal - she is not ready to sacrifice everything: “I love ski jumping.

But I would rather have a long career. "