During training
Shepherd bites cross-country skiing world champion
Updated on July 15th, 2025 – 6:53 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Emil Iversen is in shape for the coming winter season. During sprint training, he is so fast that a dog gets scared-with painful consequences.
Ferred moment for the Norwegian cross-country skier Emil Iversen: During training in France, the four-time world champion and Olympic second of Beijing 2022 (season) was bitten by a German Shepherd. “We ran an intervals on a gravel path, and because I was in good shape, I was really fast. The dog was just afraid,” said the 33-year-old. “He was leash, but unfortunately the owner didn’t pay attention, and so the dog snapped.”
In an interview with the newspapers “Addisavisen” and “Verdens Gang”, Iversen continued that he was traveling with his teammates Johannes Hösflot Klaebo and Niklas Dyrhaug and the footballer Alexander Sörloth (formerly at RB Leipzig). “Fortunately, the wound was not so deep and didn’t have to be sewn,” said Iversen. “But I started taking medication to be on the safe side.” The wound was cared for in a hospital.
Iversen added that he found “a bit of a shame” that the incident happened when he was on the way to a “personal record”. “The shape was very good until the bite, so I hope that it heals well and the shape is just as good afterwards.”
Despite the incident, he was optimistic. “I hope that everything heals quickly and has no long -term effects.” Iversen is prepared for the Olympic season. After the winter games of Milan 2026, he will probably end his career.