Milan, Italy – A promising Olympic season took a disheartening turn for Swedish cross-country skier Linn Svahn, as illness has forced her to withdraw from the sprint team event at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The news comes just days after she was slated to compete, adding another layer of adversity to a career already marked by setbacks.
The 25-year-old Svahn, a two-time Sprint Cup winner, has been battling illness, according to reports from both Swedish and Norwegian media outlets. Dagbladet and NRK both reported the news, citing sources within the Swedish team. The specific nature of the illness has not been disclosed, but it is severe enough to prevent her participation in the sprint team competition. Nettavisen reported that Svahn will also miss the individual sprint race.
This latest development is particularly cruel for Svahn, who has already overcome significant challenges in her pursuit of Olympic glory. Just last year, a fall during training on the eve of the World Championships in Trondheim resulted in a concussion and neck injury, ruling her out of the entire competition. The recovery process was arduous, with Svahn describing a period where she was barely able to leave her bed, experiencing severe symptoms including vomiting, cognitive difficulties and prolonged sleep – often sleeping three-quarters of the day, as detailed in reports from theskisaga.com and nordicmag.info.
Her return to training was a gradual, six-stage process, utilizing a rehabilitation program known as the “brain ladder,” specifically designed for concussion recovery. Despite the lingering effects, Svahn had expressed optimism about the Olympic season, focusing on staying injury-free and arriving at races with energy, rather than exhaustion. She had been aiming for her first senior championship medal, a goal that now appears more distant.
The timing of this illness is especially unfortunate, as it prevents her from competing against defending champion Jonna Sundling and teammate Maja Dahlqvist, who ultimately took bronze in the women’s cross-country skiing race, as reported by thestar.com. The Canadian team’s performance at the Olympics has been a major storyline, but Svahn’s absence underscores the unpredictable nature of elite athletics.
Svahn’s journey to recovery from her concussion was well-documented. She went from being in peak physical condition to struggling with daily tasks, a stark contrast to her previous athletic prowess. Her ability to return to training at all was considered a significant achievement, and her participation in the Olympic season was viewed as a testament to her resilience. proxcskiing.com reported on a new injury she sustained nine months before the Olympics, adding to the narrative of challenges she has faced.
Prior to her recent setback, Svahn had demonstrated her competitive edge, winning a classic sprint race in Canmore in , as reported by fasterskier.com. This victory highlighted her potential and fueled expectations for a strong Olympic performance. The loss of her participation in the sprint team event is a blow to Sweden’s medal hopes, and a disappointment for fans who have followed her inspiring comeback story.
The Swedish team has yet to announce a replacement for Svahn in the sprint team event. The focus now shifts to ensuring her full recovery and supporting her as she navigates this latest obstacle. While her Olympic dreams for this event are dashed, the hope remains that she can return to competition later in the season, and continue her pursuit of a championship medal in the future.
This incident serves as a reminder of the physical and mental toll that elite sports can take on athletes, and the importance of prioritizing their health and well-being. Svahn’s story is one of perseverance in the face of adversity, and her resilience will undoubtedly be tested once again as she recovers from this latest setback.
