Petter Northug Skips Falun Championships, Joins Swedish Dance Show and Boxing Bout

Norwegian cross‑country skier Petter Northug, 40, announced he will not compete at the upcoming World Championships in Falun, Sweden, after missing the deadline for a nation‑change request. Instead, Northug will appear in the Swedish edition of the TV dance competition "Skal vi danse" this autumn.

He also confirmed a boxing match against former footballer John Arne Riise, scheduled for October in Larvik, Norway. Northug said he will focus on intensive training to stay fit for the new activities and will follow the Falun event from the sidelines.