Widely reported in the Norwegian press over the weekend, former Norwegian ski star Petter Northug Jr. (34) was stopped for speeding by police in Romerike, Norway. Northug was suspected of driving while intoxicated and was taken to a hospital for a blood test.
Northug’s arrest for speeding and and pending toxicology report weren’t the only bombshells. Police searched Northug’s home where cocaine was found. Northug admitted his mistakes on Instagram with the following translated post:
“I made a big mistake. Last night I was stopped by the police in speed control. I drove too fast, and was also taken to the emergency room for a blood test. In addition, the police found a small amount of drugs in my home. It’s cocaine. I am desperate and afraid of what the future will bring, and incredibly sorry for all those I have now disappointed, again. I know it’s going to be a criminal case now. Then I will take responsibility for what I have done.”
Northug won four medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics including a gold in the team sprint and 50 k mass start classic. He won 16 World Championship medals during his career, 13 of which are gold. Northug’s last podium on the World Cup came in 2016 at the Ski Tour Canada where he placed third overall. He retired in 2018 after not qualifying for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
On the race course and off, he was considered a showman. He was able to leverage his on-snow prowess with his big and bold personality in his non-sport endeavors.
This recent incidient, however, was not Northug’s only serious brush with the law. In 2014, when he was 28-years-old, Northug was arrested for drunk driving after crashing his sports car near his home in Trondheim. Northug fled the scene while his passenger remained injured in the totaled car. Northug served a short jail sentence and was fined.
