– This summer I came back to where I lost control, says Haugen to news. Two years ago, the skater began to feel a strained relationship with food. Then the start of the season had to be postponed to get the problem under control. The season which at the time included participation in the Olympics had to be optimal. When she received a brief refusal to compete, she had to decide on the problem. Haugen then thought she had gained control over her diet. In the autumn, she again received a refusal to compete. – I think it has been very difficult, because I felt very good this summer. I knew I lost a lot of weight, and I knew it wasn’t good, says Haugen. TOP RUNNERS: For example, Haugen took the only individual podium position in the World Cup during the joint start in Salt Lake City in 2021. She also has a number of NM gold medals in her career. Photo: Rick Bowmer / AP Important to share Recently she shared a post on social media where she explained why she did not compete in the NM single distances in Bjugn at the end of October. The reason is that she had to find “the right balance for her body linked to nutrition”. – I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share the real story about why I didn’t run. It would be easier to say I was injured, she says. Personally, the worst thing for the 28-year-old was that she thought she was in control. When it got to the point where she couldn’t compete, it was the right time to open up. – It has been difficult to admit to oneself that there has been a problem. I thought I had full control. When it got to the point where I couldn’t compete, I thought I had to accept all the help I could get and share this. Need someone to talk to? Emergency help: 113 Mental Health: 116 123 The Church’s SOS: 22 40 00 40 The emergency telephone for children and young people: 116 111 Source: Helsenorge Fear and shame Haugen says that she has recently been through a sea of feelings. Since last summer there have been many ups and downs. – During that period I was afraid to ask for help. Because I was afraid someone would stop me. I thought that if I asked for help, I might not be able to train as I wanted, and not be able to take part in the meeting, she says further. – I went into a mode where I tried to justify to myself that this was not so bad. When I first realized it, I was afraid to feel all the feelings I have now, she says. At one point she thought about giving up skating, but the conclusions were that the strained relationship with food would still be there. – I felt that if I stop skating, the problem will continue to follow me. Then I realized that it had gone too far, she says. Denial of competition Afterwards, she feels guilty for having put herself in the situation of yet another non-compete from the Olympic summit and the national team. – You feel stupid and I have been a bit stupid. You have to admit to yourself that there is a bigger problem than what I have given the impression of, says Haugen. She says that deep down she knows that she has performed best when she has been a little heavier. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old continues to lose weight. – It doesn’t make sense because I’m still skating, which is not a weight sport. Furthermore, she tells about the shame she felt at having fallen back into the old pattern. Especially because she herself has had a responsibility to check that she has been in the process of recovering. – For my own part, it was a defeat because I have been there before, and received a lot of praise for the way I worked then. I was afraid I had disappointed my teammates, coaches and family, she says. UNSURE: She is unsure when she will be back on the ice for full time. Personally, she hopes to be able to participate this season. Photo: NTB – It is very important that throughout the process Haugen has been honest with her teammates about the situation she is in. – When I first found out that I was not allowed to compete earlier this autumn, I told my teammates straight away, says Haugen. Teammate Ragne Wiklund greatly appreciated that. STANDING TOGETHER: Ragne Wiklund (right) says her teammates support Sofie Karoline Haugen (left) in the situation she is in. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB – She has struggled with it before, and the fact that she is open about it is very important. Both for her part and to show younger people that this is the way to go, she says. – What does this openness mean for the team? – I think it’s nice that it’s not something you go around trying to hide. In any case, nothing good will come of it. We are a team with strong cohesion. We know each other well, so even if we stand together no matter what, it’s nice that she is open with them around, Wiklund replies. Goals for the World Cup in Stavanger Haugen stood in October over both the first round of the Norwegian Cup and NM individual distances. The first weekend in November he was back in competition. Then she walked 3,000 meters during the Norwegian Cup round in Stavanger. In the same place, she hopes that she will be able to compete in the World Cup on the first weekend in December. She has already cleared the qualification requirement of 5000 meters from last season, which is on the program in Stavanger. The World Cup round in Stavanger is the third of the season, after it started in Obihiro, Japan last weekend. – It hurts to watch the others go to the World Cup. If I do a good job now, I can make it to the World Cup this year. That is my goal, says Haugen.
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Ice skater Sofie Karoline Haugen tells about two years with an eating disorder – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
