Norwegian Therese Johaug, the reigning World Cup cross-country skiing champion, received a backdated 13-month ban for testing positive in September for a steroid found in a lip balm she said she took unknowingly.
Johaug, 28, will sit out the entire 2016-17 season but can return for the start of the 2017-18 season, including the PyeongChang Winter Games, where she will be a top medal threat. The 13-month ban was backdated to Oct. 18, according to Norway’s Olympic Committee.
Johaug won individual silver and bronze medals in Sochi, three gold medals at the 2015 World Championships and the 2015-16 World Cup season title.