Without being asked the question in a long interview with SVT Sport, Johaug mentioned the support from the Norwegian people during the doping ban for 18 months between 2016 and 2018 when she missed the Olympics in Pyeongchang.

- I want to thank the Norwegian people who supported me and it is so cruel to stand here today.

It was at most the two years I was suspended.

Then I got so much cheers, smiles and nice words that have meant a lot to me.

It was extra special to cross the finish line and thank me, she says.

How much has the support of the Norwegian people meant?

- It has meant a lot, people do not know how much it has meant to me.

It was awesome that I managed to come back and have taken nine golds in the international championships.

Now I feel that I am complete and as I said, there is a time for everything, Johaug explains.

Did you tell the news yesterday so that people would have a chance to pay tribute to you?

- Yes, I knew that people would come here and cheer on me one last time if they wanted to.

I place an enormous value on that.

It was a special day today.

It is March 5 and it was March 5, 2011 that I took my very first international victory here in Holmenkollen.

I feel like it's a very nice day to end.

March 5 a special day for Johaug

Therese Johaug also returned several times to the fact that it was on the day eleven years ago that her international career took off with the World Cup gold in 2011 on the three-mile in Holmenkollen.

Could you enjoy the cheers out there?

- The last time at Frognerseteren (after 26.4 km) I took the opportunity to wave to the audience to thank me.

This is the last time here for me and I can not think about it because I would then start laughing, says Johaug while his voice thickens.