Doping scandals and power struggles: What became of the gold medalists from the 1997 World Championships in Trondheim?

A lot has changed since the 1997 World Championships in Trondheim. But even back then, the races took place in Granåsen on almost the same courses as this year’s championships. But who won the cross-country skiing events nearly 30 years ago, and what are they doing now?

On the men’s side, three athletes from three different nations shared the podium in every event. The Women’s Side Was Different

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Doping, Death, and Dæhlie: What Happened to the 1997 World Championship Heroes?

Russian Domination

At the 1997 World Championships in Trondheim, the women competed in the 5 km classic, 10 km freestyle pursuit, 15 km freestyle, 30 km classic, and the 4 x 5 km relay.

Russia dominated the championships, with one athlete sweeping all individual events: Yelena Välbe.

In the 10 km pursuit, Välbe shared the victory with Stefania Belmondo. The Italian skier also won silver in the 5 km classic and the 15 km freestyle.

Russia also secured two individual bronze medals and gold in the relay.

Doping Scandal

However, it was Lyubov Yegorova who originally crossed the finish line first in the 5 km race. But she tested positive for bromantan and was stripped of her medal two days later, receiving an immediate suspension.

As a result of Yegorova’s positive doping test, Välbe was upgraded to gold, Italy’s Stefania Belmondo received silver, and Olga Danilova took bronze in the 5 km event.

During the investigation into Yegorova’s case in Trondheim, it was revealed that she had failed eight previous doping tests, all showing positive results for bromantan.

The Secretary General of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, Gianfranco Kasper, stated that Yegorova had tested positive for the substance during the 1994 Olympics and the 1995 World Championships. However, bromantan was not officially added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list until after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Yelena Välbe

The Russian cross-country skiing star made her World Cup debut in 1987 and retired after the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

After ending her competitive career, Välbe remained deeply involved in skiing and sports, both nationally and internationally.

Power Struggles and Politics

Välbe has led the Russian Cross-Country Ski Federation since 2010 and served as head coach of the national team since 2013. In 2018, she became a member of the executive board of the Russian Olympic Committee, and in 2019, she was elected president of the entire Russian Ski Federation.

From 2021 to 2022, Välbe was a board member of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS Council). However, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she was not re-elected at the FIS Congress in May/June 2022.

In recent years, Välbe has been outspoken in political debates, frequently condemning the ban on Russian athletes. Last fall, she even called for “bombing the West” as a way to get Russians reinstated in international competition. Her statement sparked outrage, even within Russia, with several prominent figures distancing themselves from her in Russian media.

Välbe is a three-time Olympic relay champion (Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994, and Nagano 1998) and has four individual Olympic bronze medals. She won 14 World Championship golds, including ten individual titles, and at the 1997 Trondheim World Championships, she claimed gold in all five events.

Stefania Belmondo

Stefania Belmondo retired after the 2002 Olympic season. Following her competitive career, she transitioned to television and now works as a commentator for the Italian broadcaster RAI.

Norway won one individual medal: a bronze in the 30 km, along with a silver in the relay.

Marit Mikkelsplass

Marit Mikkelsplass (formerly Marit Wold) won Norway’s only individual medal, finishing third in the 30 km race.

She is married to former national team skier Pål Gunnar Mikkelsplass, who is now a coach for Norway’s elite women’s team. They live in Nesbyen, where she now works in healthcare. Marit Mikkelsplass also participated in the Norwegian reality show Mesternes Mester on NRK in 2015.

World Championship Relay

The Russian team that won gold in the relay included Olga Danilova, Larisa Lazutina, and Nina Gavrylyuk on the first three legs, with Välbe anchoring the team. Danilova and Lazutina later tested positive for doping during the 2002 Olympics. Gavrylyuk retired in 2003.

The Norwegian team that won silver in the relay consisted of Bente Martinsen (now Skari), Marit Mikkelsplass, Elin Nilsen, and Trude Dybendahl. The latter passed away in 2024.

Sprint was not part of the program at the 1997 World Championships in Trondheim (it was introduced for the first time in 2001 in Lahti, Finland).

FACTS 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships

• When: Wednesday, February 26, to Sunday, March 9, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Trondheim, Norway
• What: FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025