In her autobiography, which was launched last week, Kalla reveals that she experienced heart rhythm disturbances during the World Cup opener in Ruka in 2016. The day before, the Swedish star had started using an asthma medication, after being diagnosed with asthma in the late autumn. In retrospect, it was concluded that the heart problems could have been triggered by the combination of asthma medicine, caffeine tablets and that it was the first competition of the season. “We chose never to talk openly about the fact that I tested asthma medicine before the race in Ruka. Not even the other runners on the national team knew, I didn’t dare say anything to them,” says Kalla in the book. In an interview with news, she explains why: – Because there had been a lot of debate ahead of time – between summer and autumn – about the use of asthma medicine. Therefore, it did not feel appropriate to tell what I suspected was the cause, she says. TROUBLE: Kalla in a meeting with Sweden’s doctor Per Andersson in Ruka 2016. Photo: NTB Sundby condemned The debate she refers to was about the use of asthma medicine in Norwegian cross-country skiing. In July of that year, it became known that Martin Johnsrud Sundby had received a doping conviction for incorrect use of asthma medication. Norwegian cross-country skiers had been attacked for several years – with Marit Bjørgen being the most prominent – for using asthma medication. In connection with the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, Bjørgen’s arch-rival Justyna Kowalczyk sent the following jab via the Polish media: “I prepare on the slopes and not at the pharmacy.” In the wake of the Sundby case, a committee was set up to investigate the use of asthma medication in Norwegian cross-country skiing. It did not go unnoticed in other countries where cross-country skiing is a major sport. HETSET: This is how the Norwegian athletes were welcomed to Ruka in 2026. Photo: / Aftonbladet / IBL Bildbyrå / Aftonbladet Greeted by doping poster When the Norwegian cross-country skiers arrived at the World Cup opening in Ruka, Finland, they were greeted by a poster that read “GDR Norway Ski Team = Doping Team”. It was the same poster that Kalla was greeted with when she had to test out asthma medicine. That’s why she said nothing. – Did you feel that at that time it was taboo to use asthma medicine? – Yes, there were many questions that revolved around that and a lot of focus on the use of asthma medicine. Bjørgen felt this taboo strongly on his body. Therefore, she can understand that Kalla did not go ahead with it. – Yes, I can to a certain extent. After all, it was a topic both around me and asthma medication that starts right from 2011. There has been a lot of negativity around it and a lot of writing about it, she says to news. Bjørgen: – We took all the blame At the same time, Bjørgen makes no secret of the fact that she wishes Kalla had done the opposite. – I think Norway took a lot of the burden, because I myself knew that there were many other nations and athletes who used asthma medicine that never came forward. We were the ones who took all the blame, she says, and makes mimes in the air when she says “blame”. Bjørgen says that she constantly saw athletes from other nations taking medication in the warm-up and starting area. – So I knew that. We couldn’t say that, but I had hoped that people would have come forward and been more open about it, acknowledges the winningest cross-country runner of all time. CRITICIZED: Justyna Kowalczyk was several times critical of Marit Bjørgen’s use of asthma medication. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB She herself was open about her medication use throughout her career, even when she had to have a medical exemption from the doping rules in order to be able to use the medication that worked for her. – I felt it was good to be honest about it, and I knew I had everything covered, I had been approved by FIS and I had passed tests. I was so reduced that I was approved for medicine, says Bjørgen. Kalla: – They were allowed to stand in the firing line Kalla was also reduced when she started taking asthma medication in 2016. But in the book she reveals that she was also put on asthma medication earlier in her career. Then she dropped it, because her own experience was that it was not necessary. UNDERSTAND: Charlotte Kalla realizes that Norwegian asthmatics had to endure criticism that she herself escaped by never revealing her diagnosis. Photo: Anders Skjerdingstad / news Confronted with Bjørgen’s statements, Charlotte Kalla says that she never thought that athletes from other nations should come forward. – But you are right, they were allowed to stand in the firing line and answer questions, even though the occurrence of asthma medication is very common among cross-country runners, Kalla tells news. Concern for young asthmatics Research is ongoing into whether asthma medication can have a performance-enhancing effect for athletes who do not have asthma. Both Bjørgen and Kalla can confirm that it has an effect for asthmatics, who without medicine have to compete with reduced lung capacity. That is why Bjørgen wants the taboo removed. – There is a lot of negativity around it, and it can affect young athletes who need it, but don’t dare to use it. It’s going to be a bit like Charlotte, who doesn’t dare to say that she’s been reduced to such an extent that she needs medicine, and that’s a shame. I rather like that we can be honest and open about things, says Marit Bjørgen.
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– We took all the blame – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
