logo
Nordic combined-Norway's four-times Olympic champion Graabak calling time on career

Nordic combined-Norway's four-times Olympic champion Graabak calling time on career

CNA23-05-2025

Norway's Joergen Graabak, a four-times Olympic champion in Nordic combined, announced his retirement on Friday, nine months before the 2026 Olympics, saying he is looking forward to "new adventures".
The 34-year-old, who is the most successful Olympic combined skier of all time, won gold in the individual large hill at both the 2014 Sochi and 2022 Beijing Olympics, and gold in the team large hill event at both Games.
"It has been an amazing journey, and I am incredibly grateful for all the people I have had the opportunity to share it with," he said in a Norwegian Ski Association press release.
"I have been both skilled and lucky to have experienced great moments and results – but equally important is everything I have learned, and everything I have experienced along the way.
"Now I am looking forward to new adventures," he added.
Ivar Stuan, the Norwegian Combined Sports Director, said Graabak would have been a contender for an Olympic medal in Italy.
"But I have great respect for the choice he has made," Stuan said. "Norwegian combined sports have a lot to thank Joergen for. He is without a doubt the combined athlete of all time in an Olympic context.
"Four gold and two silver is a huge achievement, especially considering how few events we have compared to some other sports. Such a decision is respected just nine months before the next Olympics. A golden boy is leaving."
Graabak was recently selected for Norway's combined team for the upcoming season.
Graabak is also a three-time world champion, and most recently won silver in the individual large hill and bronze in the team large hill events at this year's world championships in Trondheim, Norway.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Germany building something special, says Nagelsmann after defeat by France
Germany building something special, says Nagelsmann after defeat by France

CNA

time2 hours ago

  • CNA

Germany building something special, says Nagelsmann after defeat by France

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side are still trying to close the gap on the top teams in the world after their 2-0 Nations League defeat by France on Sunday but he was confident they are building something special. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise earned France the victory and third place in the Nations League. Nagelsmann saw improvement in his side from their 2-1 semi-final defeat by Portugal on Wednesday. "If we perform like we did today and don't take a step back against the teams in the World Cup qualifiers, then hopefully, we'll march through and prepare well," he told reporters. "Of course, we're still a few percentage points behind where we want to be, and behind the top teams in the world. We can't tear down the world in a year or two and make up for everything that may not have gone 100 per cent right over several years. "Nevertheless, I sense something in the whole group, both the players and the staff, something special. There's a special touch and a lot of potential still in waiting." Germany, who last won the World Cup in 2014 and have been eliminated in the group stage in the past two editions, are in Group A of Europe's qualifiers for the 2026 tournament in North America. They begin their campaign in September against Slovakia in Bratislava.

Lewandowski will not play for Poland under current coach after losing captaincy
Lewandowski will not play for Poland under current coach after losing captaincy

CNA

time6 hours ago

  • CNA

Lewandowski will not play for Poland under current coach after losing captaincy

Robert Lewandowski said he will not play for Poland again under the current manager, shortly after the striker was stripped of the captaincy role on Sunday. Poland coach Michal Probierz made the decision to replace Lewandowski as national team captain with midfielder Piotr Zielinski. "By decision of coach Michal Probierz, Piotr Zielinski became the new captain of the Polish national team," a Polish football federation (PZPN) statement said. "The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision." Lewandowski's response via social media was swift. "Considering the circumstances and the loss of trust in the Polish national team coach, I have decided to step back from playing for the Polish national team as long as he remains the coach," Lewandowski said. "I hope I will have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world." Lewandowski is not with the current Poland squad, with the Barcelona player citing physical and mental exhaustion after a long season as the reason for his absence. The 36-year-old is Poland's highest goal scorer with 85 goals for his country in a record 158 appearances, and had held the captaincy since 2014. Probierz replaced the sacked Fernando Santos as Poland manager in 2023, taking them to Euro 2024 where his side were the first team to be eliminated. The PZPN said Probierz will respond to questions on the situation in a press conference on Monday. Poland defeated Moldova 2-0 in a friendly on Friday and are away to Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Portugal's emotional Ronaldo rejoices in winning Nations League
Portugal's emotional Ronaldo rejoices in winning Nations League

CNA

time8 hours ago

  • CNA

Portugal's emotional Ronaldo rejoices in winning Nations League

MUNICH, Germany :Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of joy as they won their second Nations League title on Sunday, insisting that winning trophies with his country beats all club honours. Ronaldo's 138th international goal in the second half took the final to penalties after a 2-2 draw with Spain, with the substituted 40-year-old forward looking on from the sidelines as Portugal netted all five spot kicks to claim the title. The triumph, which left the five-times Champions League winner in tears, was Ronaldo's third on the international stage, accompanying his 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League winners' medals. "What a joy," Ronaldo told Sport TV. "First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends. "Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy. "When you talk about Portugal it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team." Ronaldo's future remains uncertain. He said last week he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts later this month, despite being courted by clubs taking part in the 32-team tournament. The Al-Nassr forward said he had several offers from other teams to play in the U.S., while his side's sporting director, Fernando Hierro said last month they were negotiating with Ronaldo over a contract extension but faced competition from clubs eager to sign the five-times Ballon d'Or winner. For now, however, he is only focused on celebrating his latest triumph, having played in the final with an injury. "It's beautiful," he added. "It's for our nation. We are a small people, but with a very big ambition. "The future is short term. Now is the time to rest well. I had the injury and that was the maximum, the maximum ... I pushed, because for the national team you have to push."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store