Emotional statement: multiple ski world champion announces immediate end of career

A multiple world champion and one of the best cross-country skiers in the world declares his immediate retirement and gets emotional.

Norway – The wave of retirements in winter sports never ends.

Numerous top athletes end their careers after the end of the season, including Hans Christer Holund.

The Norwegian announced his immediate retirement from competitive sports via his Instagram channel and became very emotional.

World champion ends his career: numerous medals for Holund

“I made my World Cup debut in the 15km freestyle in Lahti 14 years ago.

At that time Alexander Legkov, Pietro Piller Cottrer and Christian Hoffmann stood on the podium.

I was number 52, more than two minutes behind.

It feels like forever ago.

At the same time, I remember every little detail from the early days of my career.

How nervous I was before the start.

How proud I was to have been nominated for the World Cup and how overwhelmed I was to see the ski stars in the hotel dining room," wrote the 36-year-old.

“It was a rollercoaster ride, but 12 years later I've won World Championship gold at the same distance and achieved more than I dared dream of as a child.

I have now finally decided to end my skiing career.

It was a difficult decision, but with two small children and a lot of projects, it feels right,” continues Hans Christer Holund.

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Hans Christer Holund ends his career.

© IMAGO/Terje Pedersen

World champion ends career: emotional farewell words from Holund

The Norwegian's greatest successes were the world championship titles in 2019 in Seefeld over 50 kilometers freestyle, in 2021 in the relay and individually over 15 kilometers and in 2023 in Planica again in the relay.

He also won bronze in skiathlon at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang and silver in the relay at OIympia 2022 in Beijing.

After eight years in the national team, 145 World Cup starts and eight medals at World Championships and the Olympics, a successful career is coming to an end.

"Thank you to my teammates, coaches and supporters for everything we experienced together, to loyal sponsors who gave me the conditions to perform, to the good ski environment in Lyn, to the ski technicians who are ours day and night prepared my skis, and last but not least my family, who have carried me through thick and thin.

It was a fabulous trip,” the Norwegian became emotional at the end of his statement.

However, he will not be able to do without winter sports in the future either, as he reveals: "Even though I am now retiring as a top athlete, cross-country skiing will always remain my great passion." (

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List of rubrics: © IMAGO/Terje Pedersen