Sweden has announced its team for the individual Olympic sprint, with Linn Svahn among the four women selected. However, Svahn was not present at the press conference announcing the team, a reflection of her ongoing recovery and a deliberate strategy to manage media exposure.
Svahn continues to manage lingering fatigue following a concussion sustained on , just prior to the World Championships. The injury occurred during training, forcing her to withdraw from competition before the championships even began. Since the incident, Svahn has been cautious with media appearances, explaining in a recent SVT interview, “Utan filter,” that media attention feels like “noise” to her.
Team doctors have recommended Svahn minimize media interaction to aid her recovery and allow her brain to rest. This directive was also in effect during Monday’s team announcement.
Sweden’s Olympic Sprint Team
The individual Olympic sprint is scheduled for Tuesday, with qualifying rounds beginning at and finals at . The Swedish team consists of:
Women
Maja Dahlqvist
Johanna Hagström
Jonna Sundling
Linn Svahn
Men
Edvin Anger
Anton Grahn
Johan Häggström
Alvar Myhlback
Ribom Misses Out: “Small Margins”
Notably absent from the team is Emma Ribom.
“She received the news a few weeks ago. It’s a process to process, and then you have to come here and be ready as a reserve,” said women’s coach Stefan Thomson.
National team director Anders Byström added, “Some have performed just a little bit better. Johanna won the sprint in Trondheim, Emma was second. So the margins are small.”
Team leadership emphasized that the team selections for the sprint relay have not yet been finalized.
Svahn’s inclusion on the team, despite her ongoing recovery, underscores her importance to the Swedish squad. Her concussion, sustained on the “rock-hard, icy conditions” in Granåsen, brought a premature end to her 2025 World Championship campaign. The injury forced her into a period of isolation and rest at home in Östersund, beginning what doctors described as a “brain staircase” rehabilitation program – a gradual reintroduction to activity and stimuli.
The road back has been challenging. As Svahn told Expressen, the transition from peak physical condition to a daily struggle was “a world of extremes.” She spent a significant period in a darkened room, minimizing brain stimulation in the immediate aftermath of the concussion. The recovery process is individualized, with no fixed timeline, and requires a higher level of exertion for athletes aiming to compete at Svahn’s level than for those returning to less demanding occupations.
Despite the setbacks, including a subsequent neck injury revealed nine months before the Olympics, Svahn remains focused on the upcoming Olympic Games in Milano and Cortina. According to national team doctor Rickard Noberius, she is “taking it very well” and “has her focus fully set on the upcoming season with the Olympic Games.” Noberius believes the concussion should not impact her long-term career, provided the rehabilitation continues successfully.
The decision to select Svahn for the Olympic sprint, even while she continues rehab exercises and limits media exposure, signals the team’s confidence in her ability to contribute. It also highlights the delicate balance between athlete well-being and competitive aspirations. The team is clearly prioritizing Svahn’s recovery while recognizing her potential value in the Olympic competition.
SVT will broadcast Tuesday’s Olympic sprint, with studio coverage beginning at in SVT1 and SVT Play.
