Comeback-ready Skotheim chases historic mark

Norwegian athletics star Sander Aae Skotheim, 23, is ready to compete again after being cleared to return from injury. His summer's ambition is to achieve something only four athletes have done before in history. Skotheim expressed excitement about his current form, stating, "I have no idea where I stand, I'm very excited. That's partly why I want to compete again now." He will make his comeback in the decathlon in Ratingen, Germany, on June 27 and 28.

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I have no idea where I stand, I'm very excited. That's partly why I want to compete again now.

The past few years have been a rollercoaster for Skotheim. In 2024, he won silver at the European Championships, but his Olympic medal hopes were dashed when he failed to score in the pole vault. In 2025, he secured both the indoor European and World Championship titles in the heptathlon. He then broke the Norwegian decathlon record with 8909 points in Götzis before sustaining a knee injury during the Bislett Games. He narrowly made it to the World Championships in Tokyo, where he was in contention for gold until being disqualified in the 110-meter hurdles. In 2026, he suffered a foot injury requiring surgery in January, causing him to miss the indoor World Championships and undergo alternative training.

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I feel I am at 95 percent now. I still lack some strength in some areas in my ankle and calf. But I can do all the exercises to near maximum. It feels like it has gone very fast.

Skotheim currently feels he is at "95 percent." While acknowledging a need for more strength in certain ankle and calf areas, he can perform all disciplines at near-maximum effort. He feels his recovery has been rapid. Despite setbacks like the Tokyo Olympics disappointment and recent injuries, the Oslo native maintains an easygoing attitude. "I haven't had it that tough," he said. "After Tokyo, we had a very good training period. Things went very well, and the foot injury was unavoidable. And when the accident happened, it was lucky it occurred in winter, long before the outdoor European Championships."

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I haven't had it that tough. After Tokyo, we had a very good training period. Things went very well, and the foot injury was unavoidable. And when the accident happened, it was lucky it occurred in winter, long before the outdoor European Championships.

Injuries are common in the demanding sport of decathlon. "Accidents are part of sports, that's just how it is. There are highs and lows. But it's no fun being injured. The worst part is watching a championship on TV and knowing you should have been there," Skotheim reflected. In addition to Ratingen and the European Championships in Birmingham (August 10-16), he plans to compete in the Talence decathlon in France from September 18-19. Skotheim anticipates his results will improve with each competition, hoping his foundational fitness will be sufficient for the European Championships despite limited specific training time.

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Accidents are part of sports, that's just how it is. There are highs and lows. But it's no fun being injured. The worst part is watching a championship on TV and knowing you should have been there.