By Philip O’Connor
ZHANGJIAKOU, China (Reuters) – Therese Johaug’s stunning gold medal performances in the skiathlon and 10 km classic races have prompted Norway to consider bringing her into their sprint team to bolster their chances of winning more medals at the Beijing Olympics.
Johaug has been the shining light of Norway’s cross-country squad so far, dominating in the skiathlon and winning a thrilling 10 km race by 0.4 seconds, but so far the rest of the team has not lived up to expectations.
“If there is one place Therese can go in the team sprint, then it’s on the slopes here,” team boss Espen Bjervig told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, adding that the uphill parts of the course suited the 33-year-old’s style.
While Johaug was dominating the skiathlon, Helene Marie Fossholm was Norway’s next-best finisher, coming in three minutes 35.3 seconds behind the winner in a disappointing 18th place, with Ragnhild Haga finishing 29th.
The rest of the Norwegians were equally poor in the 10 km, with Tiril Udnes Weng coming in 21st and her twin sister Lotta 25th, while none of their sprinters made Tuesday’s individual final.
Those underwhelming performances have prompted the attempts to get golden girl Johaug to strengthen the team for next Wednesday’s sprint event, and she is up for the challenge.
“I’ve said I can go, but I’ll only go if they think it’s best for the team. I know there are many strong girls who are as good as me at this,” she said following her 10 km win.
“I have not done the (individual) sprint, but if they ask I will. I’m not saying no,” she added.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
