The 28-year-old, one of the sport's biggest names who was a member of the Norway team which won gold in the 4x5 kilometres relay at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, became embroiled in a doping controversy in September.

She tested positive for banned anabolic steroid clostebol but claimed to have used it inadvertently via a sun cream that was wrongly given to her by a team doctor.

A provisional suspension which was originally due to expire on December 18 was extended to February 19 of this year, meaning Johaug - the reigning World Cup champion - has not competed this season.

The Prosecution Committee of Anti-Doping Norway has asked for Johaug to be banned for 14 months, a sanction the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) are considering at the ongoing hearing.

Any sanction could be longer or shorter.

Johaug, a seven-time world champion, is a big star in Norway and has previously claimed that she finds it "very strange" that people do not believe her reasoning for the failed test.

Anti-Doping Norway claim she should be blamed for "not having undertaken further investigation of the drug she received and used", which reportedly came in a package marked with the word "doping".

However, the skier, who said she used the sun cream to treat cracked lips, said today that the doctor had given her assurances about the substance. 

"It has been an emotional turmoil in my head," she said, according to Dagbladet.

"I had to stand before all of Norway and the whole world and tell that I had made a positive doping test. 

"I feel I have not done anything wrong."

A lengthy ban would have severe consequences for Johaug, as although it would be backdated to begin on October last year, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang begin on February 9 that year, meaning she would only have a few weeks to prepare for the Games.

"I get 12 months, I make the preparations before the Olympics," she said.

"I get 14 months, I lose the whole pre-season and important preparation before the Olympics."

Asked what would happen in case of a 16 month ban, she added: "Then I lose the Olympics. 

"Then I have no opportunities to qualify."

The hearing against Johaug, who has criticised both the International Ski Federation and the Norwegian Ski Association for an alleged lack of support, continues tomorrow.