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The Chamberlain Egeberg Honorary Prize was established in 1919 by Ferdinand Julian Egeberg (1842-1921). It is considered the highest award in Norwegian sports.
According to the Norwegian Sports Confederation website, the trophy was created to promote versatile sports and would be awarded to the athlete who over the past year or two had shown progress in one sport and also excelled in several others.
– I get very excited when I stop and listen to the reasoning. It is an award that is the most important thing to obtain in Norwegian sports. A price that I really appreciate. It’s because of the history it has, says Johaug.
Therese Johaug made her breakthrough as a cross-country skier when, at age 18, she won a World Cup bronze in the 30-kilometer race in Sapporo in 2007. Later in her career, she won ten World Cup golds. , seven of them individual.
Strong in running
In the Olympic context, he has gold in relays, as well as silver and bronze individually. He has also won 75 World Cup races, the Tour de Ski three times and the World Cup a total of three times.
CONDIS PHENOMENON: Therese Johaug has the second fastest time in Europe with 10,000 meters this year.
Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
In the past two seasons, the 32-year-old from Dalsbygda has made a name for himself in track and field. In 2019, she became the Norwegian champion in both 10,000 meters and long-distance races.
This year he ran 10,000 meters during the “Impossible Games” at Bislett at 31.40.69. It is the second best time in Europe and the ninth best time in the world this year. Only three Norwegian women have run faster in the distance.
Even before the award, Johaug’s candidacy has been debated, even though he meets the sporting requirements.
Disputed
The statutes also state that “the candidate must be a good role model for the basic values of the sport.” As is well known, Therese Johaug has served an 18-month doping sentence after testing positive for the anabolic steroid klostebol in 2016.
Among those who have questioned Johaug’s candidacy is NRK sportscaster Jan Petter Saltvedt.
“The requirement to be a role model must be interpreted in the current context. Violation of doping regulations is the most reprehensible thing to do without entering the criminal sphere,” he wrote when it became known in May that Johaug was nominated.
Therese Johaug was nominated for the award by the Norwegian Ski Federation. The committee that awarded Johaug the honorary award is made up of Børre Rognlien (leader), Brit Pettersen Tofte and Odd-Roar Thorsen.
According to the committee chairman Børre Rognlien, the decision was unanimous.
The jury’s reasoning also includes responses to critics.
– The committee has considered the case and the conclusion of CAS. Had Johaug been convicted of doping in the sense of attempting to deceive herself to perform better, she would not have been eligible for Egeberg’s honorary award. However, Johaug has not been charged or convicted of attempted cheating. She has been charged and convicted of violating the athlete’s diligence requirement of doping regulations, it is a requirement that falls on the athlete, says Rognlien on the live stream on NRK.
Johaug prepared for criticism
– The committee believes, however, that negligence alone cannot disqualify Johaug as a good role model. There is a fundamental and principled difference between negligent action and willful action, says Rognlien.
Johaug herself says she is prepared for criticism of the award.
– Those who think I don’t deserve it may think I do. I have done my best and it is not I who has considered it, it is the committee that has decided it. I really appreciate this award, she says.
