Olympic alpine skiers Timon Haugan and Thea Louise Stjernesund have publicly confirmed their relationship, sharing their journey from friends to partners. Stjernesund, in an interview with NRK, expressed her surprise at the development, stating that she never expected it but felt it was time to communicate her feelings after years of friendship. The pair revealed they have known each other since they were 15 but faced ups and downs in their budding romance, with Stjernesund initially turning down Haugan's advances in 2021.

Stjernesund articulated her feelings about their relationship, noting that although she initially said no to Haugan due to personal circumstances at the time, she had made a lighthearted comment that she could return to him in five years. Four years later, she took the initiative to confess her feelings to him, which she had kept private until then. Both athletes describe their relationship as a natural progression and expressed joy in finally being open about their romance.

When announcing their relationship to their teammates in November, the couple was met with surprise from few, as many sensed a deeper connection between them. Stjernesund humorously shared how some teammates remarked on how long they had taken to acknowledge their feelings. This delightful twist in their story has added a personal touch to their professional lives as they both continue to excel in their sports careers.