Norwegian handball player Camilla Herrem was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2025 and underwent chemotherapy. She made a remarkable return to action just months after her diagnosis, playing in the season opener for her club, Sola.
Her international achievements include two Olympic gold medals, three World Championship gold medals, and five gold medals at the European Championship.
Last week, the 39-year-old was back in the arena for her club Sola HK, who faced Gjerpen away.
It was during this match that the home team's announcer, Tom Gulliksen, made the controversial comment, which referred to how Herrem had lost her hair as a result of the cancer treatment.
"The hairstyle doesn't even need to be blow-dried", said Gulliksen.
The speaker's attempt at a joke led to great criticism in Norway, where both the club Gjerpen and Tom Gulliksen apologized for what happened. Sola's coach, Steffen Stegavik, later said that they had accepted the apology.
"It was a very unfortunate comment. We took it up with Gjerpen in the evening, and they took it into account and issued an apology. We are done with the matter. They have handled it very well", Stegavik told TV2.no.
The board of Gjerpen HK Skien emphasizes that the speaker has performed the job as a volunteer and in that way assisted the club during a demanding period.
"We thank Tom Gulliksen for the cooperation. He has contributed as a volunteer in the club for a year and a half, and has been an important resource for Gjerpen during a demanding period", said manager of Gjerpen HK, Christen Knudsen to NRK.no