May 13, 2016 – Norwegian cross-country ski star Eldar Roenning has announced his retirement in the Norwegian press. The 33-year-old cites health reasons for hanging up his skis mentioning a 2015 diagnosis of inflammation of the esophagus.

Eldar Roenning © Rossignol

“The motivation is there. I really want to be at the Lahti Championships in 2017 and the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018. But I do not want to try without a healthy body; 99 percent is not enough. I have to be 100 percent,” said Roenning.

Eldar Roenning (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Known for his top-end classic skiing, Roenning has won six medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships including four Relay (4 x 10km) golds (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013), one silver in 2011 (15km classic) and a bronze back in 2007 (classic sprint). He topped the World Cup podium six times with eight other individual World Cup podiums along with three stage victories at the legendary Tour de Ski.

(l-r) Cologna, Roenning and Sundby © Nordic Focus

Roenning is now a trainee at Sparebank1, a Norwegian alliance and brand name for a group of savings banks.

Roenning retires (Norwegian): here.