The Short Version
- Johan Kaggestad has passed away at the age of 81 after a long illness.
- He was known as an expert commentator during the Tour de France from 2004 to 2020.
- Kaggestad was a personal trainer for Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen.
- He was honored with the honorary award from the Sports Journalists’ Association in 2022.
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Johan Kaggestad passed away peacefully with his loved ones around him on Saturday evening. This occurred after a prolonged illness, reports TV 2.
– I have so much to thank my father for. And fortunately, I got to do that before he died, says son Mads Kaggestad to VG.
Earlier this fall, it was decided that his body was no longer responsive to life-saving kidney treatment through dialysis.
On Saturday, his condition worsened even further.
– We rushed up there and were able to be there at the end, says Mads, who shares that family and a close family friend were also present.
Expert commentator at TV 2 and son of Johan Kaggestad.
Kaggestad became seriously ill in the fall of 2020 and was not well enough to commentate on the Tour de France in 2021. His son Mads took over the baton at that point. Johan was also his son’s coach during his early years as a cyclist.
– Dad has been a really good father who has given me a childhood I wouldn’t trade for anything. He has been an inspiration in terms of everything he achieved, says Kaggestad while listing much of what his father achieved throughout his life.
Kaggestad’s wife, Janette, passed away in 2022. He leaves behind three children.
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Kaggestad became a familiar and beloved name for the Norwegian people as an expert commentator during the Tour de France from the early 2000s alongside Christian Paasche – where he charmed with small and large facts about the French landscape and cities that the world’s most famous bike race passed through.
– There is so much I could say about him, for he was an incredible man in so many ways. Fantastic humor, and a communication ability that we have never encountered before, says Paasche to VG.
– Although it is sad, it is somehow good that he gets to let go since he was so sick. And you just have to cherish all the good memories we have. You’ve lost a very good friend. At the same time, I am grateful that I got to work with him for almost 20 years. I consider myself lucky, Paasche sums up.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) says it was sad to hear of Kaggestad’s passing.
– With great knowledge and storytelling joy, he made cycling, especially, but also other sports, a highlight for us Norwegians for many years.
Støre says he met Kaggestad several times, including at his home in Vikersund after he became ill. He will remember him as a warm and engaged person.
– For me, he was the voice of cycling and the Tour de France. The latter can never be the same without him, says Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg.
– Thor Hushovd’s achievements were important in making cycling a major TV sport in the 2000s, but I don’t think it would have become as big as it did without Johan Kaggestad’s storytelling and communication skills, she says.
In 2022, Kaggestad was awarded the honorary prize by the Sports Journalists’ Association. This was the first time the award had been given since the association was founded in 1921.
In 2012, Kaggestad was knighted by the French Order of Arts and Letters for his commentary on the French race.
Kaggestad was coach to Thor Hushovd for many years.
Kaggestad trained Hushovd in his early years as a cyclist, from when he was 18 to when he was 22.
– Johan Kaggestad has meant a lot for Norwegian sports. He has always been a strong voice. He has meant a great deal for Norwegian sports, for Norwegian cycling, and for me personally, Hushovd adds.
– He was also the sound of summer for many with the Tour de France broadcasts. He has raised the interest for Norwegian cycling to new heights, Hushovd further states.
Alexander Kristoff first heard Kaggestad commentate the Tour de France before he himself became part of the cycling elite.
– He has been important for Norwegian cycling – and the interest in cycling in Norway. He has been one of the vital contributors to the coverage of the Tour de France. I have listened to him a lot too. He has struggled with his health for a long time, but it is still sad when people pass away, says the professional cyclist to VG.
Dag Otto Lauritzen tells VG that Kaggestad has meant an enormous amount.
– Both for me, my colleagues at TV 2, and for Norway. He was a unique person with vast knowledge and an amazing storytelling ability. He has been quite ill in recent years, so it was not unexpected, but it’s a deep loss. He has left deep marks on Norwegian sports, says Lauritzen.
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Kaggestad was also the national team coach in long-distance running over several seasons, where he was a personal trainer for both Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen.
He was also involved in establishing Olympiatoppen.
– He was unique in many ways. He was crucial for Grete and me for many years. Johan was incredibly knowledgeable and a pioneer. A skilled guy and a great supporter, says Jack Waitz.
Waitz and Kaggestad both trained Jack’s wife, Grete Waitz.
<img alt="OLD FRIENDS: Johan Kaggestad, Ingrid Kristiansen, Grete Waitz, and Jack Waitz. Photo: Jan Petter Lynau / VG" class="_image_e3l64_72 layout-component layout-normal" data-fullscreen-sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 2000px, 2000vw" data-track-element-type="Article image fullscreen" data-track-name="ImageFullscreen" height="4234" itemprop="image" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 980px) 980px, 100vw" src="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=40&s=e4baf2bf2e3d84304e8f65f29f47d097dbe0d667" srcset="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=40&s=e4baf2bf2e3d84304e8f65f29f47d097dbe0d667 40w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=80&s=9131e2c6f1782341c106f0242287acd52fb07859 80w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=100&s=d5978a03a67083f4e3aac6415923bf5d483ae13d 100w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=200&s=5977ff0a3013d5601456fc8585fbd827379f959c 200w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=240&s=f35af5b7e0d9ab598789ede076b92793c5e0b1f4 240w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=480&s=017a695560f69511d0f890f196ae99b8597c4db5 480w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/210f06d8-35f3-44a6-9cf5-2c1c6bb32689?format=auto&w=580&s=OLD FRIENDS: Johan Kaggestad, Ingrid Kristiansen, Grete Waitz, and Jack Waitz. Photo: Jan Petter Lynau / VG
He mentions that Kaggestad was involved in many championships and major marathons. Grete passed away in 2011.
– It was poignant for us to see him. We understood that there wouldn’t be much change. But he engaged in conversation and hadn’t given up. It was a very nice gathering last year when he turned 80. I believe he appreciated that very much, he adds.
TV 2’s Marius Skjelbæk spent many hours with Kaggestad during the channel’s Tour de France coverage.
He says it is a painful and sad message to receive, and that Kaggestad was a “remarkable man”.
– He was one of a kind. I don’t think we will get many like him in Norway, Skjelbæk tells VG.
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What were Johan Kaggestad’s contributions to Norwegian long-distance running?
It seems you’ve shared a section of text that includes image links and some details about sports figures, particularly Johan Kaggestad and notable athletes Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen. Here’s a summary of the key points from your text:
- Johan Kaggestad was a national team coach in long-distance running and personal trainer for famous athletes such as Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen.
- Grete Waitz achieved significant accolades, including World Championship gold, Olympic silver, and multiple victories at the New York City Marathon.
- Ingrid Kristiansen also enjoyed a successful athletic career with World Championship gold medals in events like the 10,000 meters and cross country.
- Kaggestad was instrumental in establishing Olympiatoppen, a program aimed at enhancing Norwegian sports.
- Jack Waitz, Grete’s husband, described Kaggestad as knowledgeable, a pioneer in his field, and a great supporter.
If you need further details or have specific questions regarding this text, feel free to ask!