– I got a kick. It is incredibly sad news to receive. Absolutely terrible, says Therese Johaug to news. Johaug and Marthe Katrine Myhre went to two World Cup cross-country races together, in 2008 and 2009. After this, Myhre still focused on sprinting and triathlon, and she won several great medals: NM gold in the half marathon, five NM gold in the marathon and NM gold in winter triathlon. It was the brother Anders Myhre who said on Sunday that his sister had passed away. According to the brother, the doctor confirmed that she died of natural causes. However, she has struggled with eating disorders for several years, something the family wants to be open about. – Unfortunately, the disease has affected Marthe’s life since she was 15 years old. There have been many ups and downs for her, he says to news. – Terribly sad Although Myhre performed at a high level in sport, her life was strongly affected by eating disorders, something she told about in an interview with news in 2016. ON THE SKI TRACK: Marthe Katrine Myhre had four races in the World Cup. Here she is after the 30 kilometer free technique for the women in Holmenkollen in 2006. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB – It’s terribly sad. I knew that she had her challenges with her health, but I was not aware that things were so bad. It was a shock, says cross-country skier Pål Golberg. – The body is fragile and fails. There are, of course, very extreme consequences, says Golberg. Received support from Myhre Long-distance runner Hanne Andersen Maridal became acquainted with Myhre in 2013. At the time, Maridal was new to the athletics environment and had herself struggled with eating disorders. Myhre became an important support player for ho. – She has been a sparring partner for me in that area. I was lucky enough to get out of it, but she was still in it. Although her performances have been very good, I am quite sure that she would have done even better if it had not been for the disease, says Maridal – and continued: – It is terribly tragic, and a horror and a warning about bad it can go. SUPPORT: Marthe Katrine Myhre and Hanne Andersen Maridal (right) were good colleagues in the athletics environment. Photo: Privat Ho describes Myhre as extra good at seeing others. – I have always received a message from Marthe Katrine, whether I have had a bad or good run. She kind of took everything with her, even if she herself couldn’t take part in everything, she says. Johaug praises openness Therese Johaug herself has been open about her weight problem early in her career. In addition, cross-country stars such as Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Jessica Diggins have been open about their problems with weight and food. Johaug praises the openness of the family and Myhre has shown about the eating disorder. – I think it is incredibly good that they have been so open, and that Marthe Katrine has been so open about her illness. It is an incredibly important topic to highlight for younger girls who are coming up, that the consequences can, in the worst case, lead to what happened to Marthe Katrine. It is incredibly, incredibly sad, says Johaug. SAD: Cross-country skier Pål Golberg. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB I think sport is on the right track Pål Golberg says Myhre’s passing is “a reminder to look and talk to others”. – If you see someone you think is struggling, it is much more important to have that conversation than to think that it is not your role to do so. He believes that eating disorders are primarily a social problem, but that it is also an important topic in sport. It is almost ten years since the Norwegian Skiing Association introduced the health certificate – which will reveal whether the athletes are healthy enough to compete. – I feel that we are on the right track, and that there is more openness about it in society and sport, but this is unfortunately an example of how bad it can go. Published 09.12.2024, at 16.17 Updated 09.12.2024, at 16.39
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