Helena Bergman Returns to the National Orienteering Team After Seven-Year Hiatus

Helena Bergman is making headlines as she rejoins the Swedish national orienteering team after nearly seven years away from competitive sport, just in time for the upcoming European Championships. Recently, she showcased her talent by finishing as the third best Swedish competitor at the SM, reigniting her career following a challenging period marred by injury.

Bergman, who has an astounding record that includes 18 World Championship medals and three golds from European Championships, faced a major setback earlier this year. During the Tiomila event in May, she suffered a severe thigh injury that resulted in four surgeries and a lengthy hospitalization. Her husband, Gustav Bergman, noted how significant this comeback has been for her and how motivated she is to return to top form under the guidance of national coach Håkan Carlsson.

In a notable turn of events, fellow orienteering star Tove Alexandersson will not compete in the remainder of the season as she shifts her focus to ski mountaineering for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Additionally, Gustav Bergman was not selected for the European Championships due to his recent performance struggles, alongside Emil Svensk, who is opting out of the sprint focus this fall. The Sprint European Championships are set to take place in Hasselt, Belgium from August 27 to 31, where Bergman will be aiming for a strong performance after her lengthy recovery.