Cocaine Found At Home Of Cross-Country Ski Legend

17th August 2020

Last modified on May 14th, 2021

The retired skier Petter Northug is one of Norway’s most famous athletes with multiple World and Olympic titles to his name. The drugs were found after he was stopped for speeding and police searched his home.

If you’re into cross-country skiing you will know the name Petter Northug.

If not, but you know your football, then think David Beckham.

The 34-year-old is, quite simply, a sporting icon.

He won a total of 13 World Championship and 2 Winter Olympic gold medals (Vancouver 2010) with 20 medals overall.

He also had 18 individual Cross-Country World Cup wins with 13 podium places.

According to news reports in Norway, Northug was on his way to his home in Trondheim from Trysil Summer Ski School when he was stopped by police for driving at 168kph on a road with a 110kph speed limit.

Police suspected he had been driving under the influence of drugs and took blood samples.

Later, they carried out a search of Northug’s home and found and seized a quantity of the cocaine.

Northug acknowledged his guilt on social media, posting on Facebook and Instagram.

“I made a big mistake. Last night I was stopped by the police for speeding. I was driving way too fast and was also taken to the emergency room for blood test. In addition, the police found a small amount of drugs at my house. It’s cocaine. I am in despair and afraid of what the future will bring, and incredibly sorry for all those who I have now disappointed, again. I know it will now be a criminal case. Then I will take responsibility for what I have done.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4f1b5BWHR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

As Northug hinted in his admission, it’s not the first time he’s been in trouble.

In 2014 he crashed his car in Trondheim and fled the scene.

He was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and went to prison for a few weeks. He also lost his driving licence for five years.

Earlier this year Northug trained the great Norwegian alpine racer, Aksel Lund Svindal, to prepare him for competing in a gruelling 20km cross-country race in Hafjell.