Several of the medal favorites for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina report that they are considering retiring after this season.

Several World Cup stars, including last winter’s Sprint World Cup winner and several of Norway’s strongest rivals, have indicated that they may hang up their skis after the 2026 Olympics. Many of them are already selected for the Games, which will take place in Italy from February 6 to 22.

Also Read: Program for cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Earlier this autumn, overall World Cup winner Jessie Diggins announced that she will retire after the 2025/2026 season. It has also long been clear that Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s friendly rival Federico Pellegrino will end his World Cup career after the home Olympics next winter. But they are far from the only ones.

Read More – Shock announcement: Cross-country skiing star set to retire

Finland’s Lauri Vuorinen, 30, who claimed silver in the team sprint and bronze in the individual sprint at the World Championships in Trondheim, is unsure whether he will continue after Milano-Cortina 2026.

“Age is starting to catch up with many of us,” Vuorinen said about his own and several teammates’ situations.

“I don’t want a declining career — I want to keep fighting for podiums. That’s what matters most to me,” Vuorinen told Finnish media.

Joni Mäki, Perttu Hyvärinen, and Ristomatti Hakola are all also over 30.

Hakola already said last year that the 2025/2026 season would be his last. Now, at 34, he is less specific.

“It varies from day to day, but right now I’d say it’s a 51 percent chance I’ll retire and 49 percent that I’ll continue,” Hakola said.

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Niskanen keeps his cards close

Finland’s biggest Olympic hope on the men’s side, Iivo Niskanen, keeps his cards close to his chest, taking one season at a time.

The 33-year-old missed the entire World Championships in Trondheim after falling ill during the World Cup in Falun two weeks earlier, where he was one of the biggest favorites — especially for the 10km classic and the 50km freestyle.

On the Olympic program in Milano-Cortina, Niskanen’s signature event awaits: the 50km classic. But what happens after 2026 remains uncertain. Niskanen has hinted that he might consider continuing his career until the 2029 World Championships, which will be held on home soil in Lahti, also featuring the 50km classic.

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Several women may step away

Older sister Kerttu Niskanen is going all in for the 2026 Olympics, but hasn’t said what happens afterward. She will be 41 by the time of the 2030 Games.

Krista Pärmäkoski stated last year that she would continue at least through the 2026 Olympics. Last season, however, was disastrous due to injuries and personal struggles, and the veteran says she’s eager for redemption — but her long-term future is unclear.

“It’s more likely that I’ll retire. But I’ve said that before, and here I still am,” Pärmäkoski said during the association’s press conference earlier in October.

“Nothing is certain. I’ve been told to never say never — you never know what life brings.”

Anne Kyllönen, who lost her spot on the national team this spring, is also uncertain about her plans after the 2025/2026 season but prefers not to think about them until spring.

All of Finland’s top stars have now chosen to follow their own individual training programs outside the national team setup ahead of the Olympic season — a decision that has sparked debate.

World Cup winner undecided

This winter’s Sprint World Cup winner, Jasmi Joensuu, is also unsure about her future. The 29-year-old already hinted before the Trondheim World Championships that she might retire after the 2026 Olympics.

“I’m going to give everything this season. Then we’ll see what happens. By May 2026, I’ll probably have an answer,” Joensuu said last spring.

As a result, Finnish cross-country skiing faces a significant challenge in terms of generational renewal in the years to come.

The same could happen on the women’s side in Sweden, where several of the stars who have dominated international women’s skiing have suggested they might retire after the 2027 World Championships on home soil in Falun.

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