On the morning of the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski, the Norwegian Ski Federation has announced that Marit Bjørgen is withdrawing from the Tour.

The Federation announced the withdrawal with an official press release that can be read below:

Marit Bjoergen leaves Tour de Ski

"I 'm very sorry for leaving the Tour, but when my shape is not good enough to fight for the victory in the Tour de Ski, it is more important for me to focus on the Olympics putting all my efforts in for the Sochi Games," Marit Bjoergen says.

"The level for breaking the Tour de Ski is, as previously stated, very low," says Norway's National Coach Egil Kristiansen." It's a shame that Marit must leave the Tour, but when she is not in shape that is the decision."

Norway's Team Doctor Dag Lunder describes the situation as non-dramatic health wise . "Marit has a simple viral infection. She had a vague stomach ache before starting yesterday which lead to reduced efforts in the quarter-finals of the sprint race. After the race she had a light stomach flu and fever but she is now on the mend. She will travel back home to Norway to take it easy for a few days and then start her training - when she is healthy. Marit will be taken care of by our medical team when she comes home," says Lunder.

The Tour continues today with the 10/15 km classic mass start competitions in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The men's competition begins at 13:00 CET and the ladies' at 15:45 CET.

Source: the official FIS site