[2] After his tenth place at Holmenkollen in 1927, Røen was a candidate for the Norwegian squad at the 1928 Winter Olympics one year later.
The weather conditions in Nordmøre in the winter of 1927–28 featured little snow, however, so Røen's exercise consisted mainly of running.
When the Olympic trials neared, Røen travelled by skis to Svorkmo to catch the Thamshavn Line to Trondhjem, further connecting to Oslo.
Instead of continuing straight to St. Moritz, the Norwegian leader Olaf Helset rented a private car to take a small party including Røen to Chamonix in order to gain experience from the Coupe de France event.
[9] Here, John Røen won the 50 kilometres ahead of compatriot Johan Støa and the three Frenchmen Évariste Prat, Camille Tournier and Henri Millan.
Røen forfeited the race, having struggled with bad equipment (as did several other racers) and "stomach cramps", perhaps from food poisoning.
He saddled up with a backpack containing several weeks worth of luggage, and the first prize trophy he won at Chamonix under one arm.