ÖSV rejects Northug's comeback: cross-country legend is left out!

ÖSV rejects Northug's comeback: cross-country legend is left out!

Innsbruck, Österreich - Petter Northug, the 13-time Norwegian cross-country world champion, will not compete for Austria. Today, on April 3, 2025, this was decided by the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) Presidential Conference, which unanimously spoke out against Northug's entry. At a press conference in Innsbruck, sports director Mario Stecher explained that the development of a "good, young, emerging team" was a priority. Challenges for young athletes to develop are also essential.

Northug, which has not been active in the World Cup since 2018, had contacted the ÖSV via a possible change of nation. This was done by a former ÖSV biathlon coach. In order to compete for Austria at the 2026 Olympic Games in 2026 and the 2027 World Cup, the acquisition of Austrian citizenship would have been a prerequisite, which, according to Stecher, was classified as difficult or impossible.

northugs scandaly past

The return of the former cross-country star is also in the shade of his scandalous past. Northug was involved in several incidents, including drug possession and speed overruns. Most recently, he received a prison sentence of seven months in December 2020. This prehistory causes additional concerns for officials of the ÖSV. According to ÖSV cross-country chief Alois Stadlober and the top athlete Mika Vermeulen, the risks regarding Northug's commitment should not be underestimated.

Although Northug was able to take part in the Norwegian championships, his eighth place there led to a setback for his hopes for a return to the national squad. Due to the intensive competition in the Norwegian cross -country association, he hardly sees himself able to start again for Norway. This could be a further incentive for him to focus on Austria.

doping scandals in cross -country skiing

The discussion about Northug also raises questions about the long -term challenges in cross -country skiing. Sport has struggled with numerous doping scandals in recent decades that have shaken confidence in the fairness of the competitions. As early as 1985, suspicions were noticed for the first time when Italian cross -country skiers were unexpectedly triumphed at the World Cup in Seefeld.

The investigation at various world championships and Olympic Games have repeatedly shown that doping practices were widespread in the past. The case of Johan Mühlegg, which was convicted at the 2002 Olympic Games, as well as numerous other revelations from the past, in which athletes like Achim Walcher were affected, show the number of unreported cases in this sport. The ÖSV also admitted a "misjudgment" in the case of coach Walter Mayer, which contributes to skepticism towards new athletes like Northug.

Overall, Northug sees itself in a difficult situation between the desire to celebrate a comeback, and the concerns about his past and the complex rules of international competition. A possible change of nation to Austria remains uncertain due to the high hurdles and the reservations of those responsible.

For more information on this topic, you can do the articles from Laola1 , Bazonline and NZZ Read.