Illness Hits Swedish Cross-Country Ski Team, Jeopardizing Medal Hopes at 2026 Olympics

The Swedish cross-country skiing team faces significant challenges at the 2026 Winter Olympics as several athletes have been sidelined due to illness, impacting team composition and medal prospects in the crucial 50 km race. Key competitors like Maja Dahlqvist, Johanna Hagström, Linn Svahn, and Moa Ilar have returned home because of illness. On the men's side, Anton Grahn, Alvar Myhlback, Truls Gisselman, and William Poromaa have also been affected, leaving Sweden with just three male athletes—Johan Häggström, Calle Halfvarsson, and Gustaf Berglund—for the 50 km event. Frida Karlsson is currently experiencing mild cold symptoms but may still compete, according to Swedish team official Anna J Haag. The absence of reserves means if Karlsson cannot start, the women's team will be significantly weakened. This situation has sparked criticism from former biathlete Björn Ferry, who said he would be upset if he were an athlete not selected given the circumstances. Sweden's men's team has yet to secure a medal at these Olympics, with Truls Gisselman's seventh place in the skiathlon being their best result so far, making the final 50 km race their last chance to earn a podium finish. The illness outbreak and subsequent departures have dampened hopes and left the Swedish team scrambling to field competitive lineups in the concluding events of the Games.