Sweden Faces Historic Low in Cross-Country Skiing at 2026 Winter Olympics

The Swedish cross-country skiing team has experienced its worst Olympic performance to date at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, with no medals won and their highest finish being a seventh place by Truls Gisselman in the skiathlon. This result marks a deepening medal drought that has persisted since Sweden last won a cross-country skiing medal at Lillehammer in 1994.

Norway dominated the events, notably sweeping all medals in the men's 50km race, where Johannes Høsflot Klæbo secured his sixth Olympic gold, reinforcing his standing as one of the greatest skiers of all time. In stark contrast, Sweden struggled, with their top finisher Gustaf Berglund placing ninth in the same event.

Niklas Jonsson, silver medalist at Nagano in 1998 and one of the last to win an Olympic medal for Sweden in cross-country skiing, reflected on the current challenges facing the team. He pointed to the lack of depth compared to the Norwegian contingent and cited ongoing issues such as athlete health setbacks, including illnesses affecting key competitors Edvin Anger and William Poromaa, as significant factors hindering Sweden's results. Jonsson also recalled the difficulties of the 1990s when doping scandals impacted the sport, emphasizing the crucial role a strong team plays in international success.

As the competition approaches its final stages with the five-mile race, all eyes are on veteran Calle Halfvarsson, who remains Sweden’s last hope for a podium finish. However, skepticism remains about the possibility of securing a medal given the current performances. The outcome of this race is seen as pivotal for the team’s morale, especially as Sweden looks toward hosting the World Championship next year.

This year's Olympic outcome surpasses Sweden's previous low at Lillehammer, where the best results were two sixth-place finishes. The ongoing medal drought, highlighting the gap between Sweden and powerhouse Norway, reflects a period of significant struggle for the Swedish cross-country skiing program.