Norway's Maren Lundby revealed during a tearful television interview that she will not be defending her Olympic ski jump title at Beijing 2022 ©NRK

Norway’s Olympic ski jump champion Maren Lundby will not defend her title at Beijing 2022 after announcing she would not compete this season because she wants to protect her health.

The 27-year-old from Gjøvik revealed during a tearful interview on Norwegian television that her "body has changed".

"I think it's a good choice, and I do it to take care of myself, not to take any shortcuts," she told the Norwegian Broadcasting Company (NRK).

"I know that I have always been very good at doing things properly, and I intend to continue to do so.

"The body has become a little different lately for natural reasons, therefore I am not willing to sacrifice anything to be at the top level in Beijing.

"I would rather have a long career.

"It's hard, because I really want to be a ski jumper.

"But it will not be like that this year."

Lundby is one of the most successful ski jumpers in history.

As well as her Olympic victory at Pyeongchang 2018, she is the winner of three consecutive World Cup overall titles, 30 individual World Cup events, and gold medals at the 2019 and 2021 World Championships.

Maren Lundby has been one of the sport's most dominant ski jumpers, with her Olympic gold medal at Pyeongchang 2018 the highlight so far ©Getty Images
Maren Lundby has been one of the sport's most dominant ski jumpers, with her Olympic gold medal at Pyeongchang 2018 the highlight so far ©Getty Images

It is well-known that lighter athletes tend to be more successful than heavier ones in ski jumping, and in the past the International Ski Federation have been concerned with competitors suffering from eating disorders.

"That is probably the reason why I have achieved so much as well, that I have never messed with these things here on my own," Lundby said.

Lundby claimed it is important topic, but she has never taken risks with her health to achieve success.

"It has not been my path to Olympic gold," she told NRK.

"If you are going to be good at something, then the topic of weight cannot be there too soon.

"Then you destroy everything.

"That's my message.

"Yes, it is a requirement at the very top, but for younger people it should not be a theme.

"It is important to distinguish between what is top sport and what is everything else."

Instead of training for Beijing 2022, Maren Lundby is taking part in Skal vi danse, Norway’s version of Strictly Come Dancing ©TV2
Instead of training for Beijing 2022, Maren Lundby is taking part in Skal vi danse, Norway’s version of Strictly Come Dancing ©TV2

Instead of preparing for Beijing 2022, Lundby is currently taking part in Skal vi danse, Norway’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

"I'm having a great time, and I'm very happy," she said.

"My health is good; I may never have been healthier than I am now.

"But that body is not quite suitable for ski jumping.

"That must be allowed to be said, and then I hope that people appreciate that I am so open about it."

Lundby, though, insisted that this is not the end of her ski jumping career.

"I really want to ski more," she said.

"This can be solved in a good way, but I have to spend time coming back."