In one debate, Therese Gohog and Swede Anna Haag argued that athletes should become more active as role models on social media. Gohojj personally evaluates lectures and conferences.
– I want first of all to share my experiences, and contribute more diversity and perhaps some other ‘input’ on what could inspire and motivate the desired change, says Johaug to VG, in a comment relayed by Director Jørn Ernst.
On Sunday, the discussion post titled “We need a counterpoint to influencers today” was published in Swedish Aftonbladet.
– It is important for me to focus on the fact that there is a lot of diverse information about the body and health. In the worst cases, says Johog, unbalanced information, as I see it, can build on unrealistic expectations, especially among girls and women.
When Johog was asked how she used her experience, she first of all scrolled through her own social media channels.
– and preferably also in lectures, she adds.
– With “Events”, for example, I want to inspire physical activity and focus on the fact that well-being and health and not appearance are the most important. In the long run, it may be appropriate for me to get more involved in this with professionals in, say, courses or conferences, says Johog.
In the debate post, the cross-country duo mentions, among other things, that mental health problems in Sweden, according to the Swedish Ombudsman for Gender Equality, are increasing among girls and young women.
“Unlike “miracle cures” and influencers without deep knowledge, many elite athletes have great potential to inspire and talk about how to train effectively and balance food without getting fixations, the two former cross-country skiers write.
Johaug and Hague – both cross-country Olympic champions – think influencers who give unhealthy advice are a problem.
In order to contribute to a greater balance of information, so I think there is a need for a greater counterweight based on sharing one’s own experiences for better or worse, which have contributed along the way in a positive direction, says Johaug.
– In addition to raising awareness, my focus is what you think about before you “buy” the information posted on social media, there is often not just one truth, Juhoge believes.
Johaug also shared a text on Facebook on Sunday afternoon after the debate post went live. There you write, among other things:
“We all know that many young women feel bad. A lot of time is spent on social media where the impressions are an endless story – and the tips on how to live are countless. At the same time, interest in health and exercise has increased. Where to get On inspiration and information? Yes in social media.”
With increased attention also increases the risk of misinformation and the spread of “miracle cures” and unhealthy ideals. Eating disorders, mental disorders, and injuries are something that unfortunately there are plenty of examples in our industry, just as they are in the “normal” world.
cross country star, Who was able to say earlier this year that she will retire after the seasonHe believes it is important for elite athletes to take responsibility and highlight the problem by sharing learning and knowledge, and without any form of fixation.
“Together, we want to encourage more young women to turn to elite athletes more often for health advice and inspiration. We also want to encourage more people with an athletic background to share their knowledge on social media – whether they have succeeded or those who have done the opposite.” With the right training and community, we can contribute to making young women feel better,” Johaug wrote.
Anna Haag was part of the Swedish team that won the relay gold at the Olympics in 2014, and she also holds an individual Olympic silver from the 15km joint start with a ski change in 2010.
“The opposite is that we have the experience of a few big influencers, experiences that allow us to communicate health assessments and guide young people in a world with so much hysteria and shortcuts to what is believed to be prosperity, but could in the long run be the opposite,” Hague writes in an email to VG .
For us, it is important to create conditions for young women to feel better. “If we, along with the best female athletes, can contribute to increasing their knowledge of how they feel, we’ve come a long way,” Hagg wrote.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
