We are talking about Petter Northug from Norway. He is a two-time Olympic champion, 13-time world champion (a record among men, winning in all six modern disciplines), and
two-time World Cup winner (2009/10 and 2012/13). After the scandalous end of his career, he became dependent on drugs and alcohol but found the strength to get out and returned to big-time sports at the age of 38.
At the beginning of March, Northug gave a long interview to the Norwegian channel TV2. In it, he talked about the fight against addiction and his return to sports. You can place bets on skiing competitions, as well as on other sports competitions in various sports at Mostbet-az.
Remembering Northug: a scandalous end of the career
It’s been almost 10 years since the tumultuous life on the roads ended in a massive reputational catastrophe. The national hero drove himself and his friend into a ditch.
Speeding on the road home from the ski school in Trysil and the subsequent discovery of cocaine in his house became the lowest point. The passenger they were driving with was injured (he broke his collarbone). Northug did not wait for the police and fled, after which he was sentenced to 50 days in prison and a hefty fine – 185,000 kroner.
Six years later, he hit rock bottom in life. Trust in people was again undermined, and the ski king found himself at the epicenter of a life crisis. Extremely honest, he laid his cards on the table and admitted that he had serious problems with alcohol and drugs. He needed help.
“I probably weighed 97 kilograms. It was terrible,” Northug says with a slight smile, shaking his head and remembering his state. He didn’t care about his body. The new lifestyle also harmed his loved ones, although he didn’t think much about it. It all started with one party a week and then turned into a life he lost control of.
“Every weekend was full-on parties. It was a kind of reward for my previous life.
Returning to sports: is it realistic at 38?
Reaching his lowest point in life in 2020, Northug decided to get back on skis and regain his form.
“I don’t know how much worse it could have been, but for me, it was terrible, a nightmare form. At the worst of times, I probably did strength training 1-2 times a week. There were no cardio workouts. I just went to the gym.”
“I felt how it affected everyday life, sleep, and nutrition. There are things that I value much more now, understanding how bad everything was back then. Now that I’m back to being an athlete 24/7, I know the difference is huge, and I don’t want to return to that lifestyle again.”
It took over a year of training before I regained enough base, and competing became truly enjoyable. Before that, I was in a pit, trying to break through the ice. I didn’t achieve the form I wanted. I wanted to gain it quickly,” Petter explains.
In the summer of 2023, while roller skiing with his brother, he finally got the answers he needed.
“I realized that things were starting to work again. But it took time. I felt how much time it takes to get back to a good level when you get older.”
In early February, the old ski king attracted attention and shocked everyone at the Norwegian Cup in Nes.
Northug took second place in the 20 km classic. Behind him in the protocol were athletes who held high positions on World Cup stages this season.
The result was so remarkable that even the national team coach, Eirik Myhr Nossum, a former personal coach of Northug, did not rule out the possibility that the former protege could go to the World Championships next winter.
In his new life, he combines skiing training with work as an expert on TV2 and managing his brand. He will also appear on the sports TV show Vinnerschkalle as a host.
