Therese Johaug recalls embrace with late King Harald as 'greatest sporting moment'
Translated from Norwegian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- Norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug fondly remembers her 2011 World Championship victory hug with the late King Harald as her greatest sporting moment.
- Johaug expressed gratitude for the King's genuine interest in people and sports, highlighting his approachable and knowledgeable demeanor.
- Other athletes, like Petter Northug, also shared cherished memories of interactions with King Harald, emphasizing his deep engagement with their careers.
Therese Johaug, the decorated Norwegian cross-country skier, has identified her celebratory embrace with the late King Harald following her 2011 World Championship victory as her most cherished sporting memory.
It is my greatest sporting moment and memory, that meeting with the King.
In 2011, during the World Championships held in Oslo's Holmenkollen, over 100,000 spectators cheered as Johaug secured her first individual championship gold medal. Overwhelmed with joy, she spontaneously embraced King Harald, an interaction that was later nominated for "Moment of the Year" on television. Johaug recalled the King's congratulatory words and the shared moment, which captured the immense happiness she felt after her triumph.
Following the news of King Harald's passing at age 89, Johaug shared her profound gratitude for his reign. "I am so incredibly grateful and proud that we have had a king who was so popular, who genuinely cared about people," she stated. Johaug, who has met the King numerous times throughout her career, characterized him as consistently interested, knowledgeable, and someone who made others feel at ease in his presence.
I am so incredibly grateful and proud that we have had a king who was so popular, who genuinely cared about people.
Other prominent Norwegian athletes, including Petter Northug, also shared their positive experiences with King Harald. Northug, a multiple Olympic and World Championship medalist, recalled numerous encounters, including receiving King's Cups for national championships and meeting him during World Cup events. He specifically remembered a private conversation with the King on a flight home after the 2015 NM, where Harald showed a deep and detailed interest in Northug's training regimen for the upcoming Falun World Championships.
I have been incredibly lucky. I have received King's Cups from him in connection with NM, met him in World Cups and during the World Championships in Oslo.
About this summary
Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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