Ski Jumper Robert Johansson Quits in the Wake of the World Cup Scandal. The Decision to Retire from Ski Jumping Had Already Been Made before the incidents in Trondheim.
Norwegian ski jumper Robert Johansson has announced his retirement just over ten weeks after the manipulation scandal at the World Championships. The decision had already been made before the incidents in Trondheim, the 2018 team Olympic champion told broadcaster TV2. “I’m looking forward to what life has to offer next,” said the former ski flying world record holder.
In March, Johansson was provisionally suspended together with two other Norwegians immediately before the start of the Raw Air Tour. Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang had been affected at the World Championships before. After the end of the season, however, the ban was lifted again, and to this day he has not received an explanation from the FIS. The investigation by the ethics and compliance office of the world association is still ongoing.
Ski Jumping: Johansson was not disqualified
In the scandal competition at the World Championships, Johansson was the only Norwegian who was not disqualified. The later ban robbed him of a perfect farewell with the competitions in Oslo, Vikersund, Lahti and Planica. He “did not deserve” this ending and it was “100 percent bitter. It’s hard not to be able to finish the season and career as hoped.”
Johansson, who also gained fame thanks to his twirled mustache, won three individual World Cups in his career and finished second in the large hill at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf. In 2017 he briefly held the ski flying world record with 252.0 m, which was surpassed just 30 minutes later by Stefan Kraft (Austria).
Always Denied Involvement in the World Cup Scandal
He had always denied involvement in the suit scandal. The scandal came to light after incriminating video recordings at the edge of the World Championships in Trondheim became known.
Norwegian sporting director Jan-Erik Aalbu had admitted to cheating on the suits of Lindvik and Forfang. He himself and the jumpers concerned had not been informed about the manipulation of the jumpsuits.