Therese Johaug slams Swedish national team over partnership with weight‑loss drug maker

Norwegian cross-country skiing icon Therese Johaug has sharply criticized the Swedish national cross-country team for signing a sponsorship agreement with pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which produces Ozempic—often used for weight loss—and Wegovy, a dedicated weight‑loss drug.

Sweden announced the deal in October, with the sponsor’s name to appear on athletes’ kit this coming season. The move comes amid growing concern reported by NRK that weight‑loss medications are becoming more common among Olympic athletes. In that report, WADA physician and expert Lars Engebretsen said the use of weight‑loss drugs in sport should be strictly prohibited.

Speaking to NRK, Johaug said she would never take on such a sponsor and called the use of weight‑loss drugs in sport “completely crazy.” She said she would be saddened if athletes used these medications to improve performance, arguing it sends a particularly bad signal to young athletes already vulnerable to eating disorders.

Both Johaug and the WADA doctor emphasized that weight‑loss medications have a legitimate place when used by patients who medically need them. However, they warned against their normalization in elite sport.

The Swedish team has defended the partnership on public‑health grounds. Cross‑country chief Lars Öberg told NRK they are aware of eating disorders and weight issues within the sport and hope the cooperation will inspire more people to be physically active. Even within the Swedish camp, there has been unease: star skier Ebba Andersson previously told Expressen she was bewildered by the sponsorship choice.