Shock retirement at 24: Norwegian relay world champion Helene Marie Fossesholm ends career

Norwegian cross-country skier Helene Marie Fossesholm has announced her immediate retirement at the age of 24, just weeks before the Olympic season. In a statement posted to Instagram, she said her motivation had fluctuated for months and, more often than not, was simply not there despite trying to focus on positives and taking time off over the summer.

Her decision shocked Norway’s team. Four-time Olympic champion Therese Johaug, now a TV expert for NRK and a close friend, called it a surprising and significant decision so close to the start of the season. Teammate Heidi Weng admitted she shed a few tears but said she supports Fossesholm doing what’s right for herself. National team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad said he had goosebumps upon reading her message, noting nothing hinted at this only months ago when they were together at Blinkfestivalen and Toppidrettsveka.

Fossesholm also shared that she intends to start medical studies and is looking forward to a different life beyond elite sport. Her career highlight came at the 2021 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, where she won gold in the women’s relay. In 2021 she was also Norwegian champion over 10 km freestyle, finished ninth in the World Cup distance standings, and reached the individual World Cup podium twice.