Swedish Athletes Gear Up for 2026 Winter Olympics with Strong Medal Hopes and Recovery Updates

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Swedish athletes are preparing with high expectations and some injury concerns ahead of the competitions in Val di Fiemme, Italy, from February 7 to 22. Swedish cross-country stars Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist, silver medalists in the sprint relay from the 2022 Beijing Games, are key contenders aiming to convert recent world championship success into Olympic medals. Sweden's poor performance at the last Olympics contrasts sharply with their dominance at the 2023 World Championships, where Swedish women won all six gold medals in cross-country skiing events, raising hopes for a strong showing in Italy.

The cross-country skiing events start with the women's skiathlon on February 7 and culminate in the women's 50 km race on February 22. The skiathlon course is familiar to many athletes as it regularly hosts the World Cup finale. The competition features a strong Norwegian team led by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who secured six gold medals at the World Championships, presenting a formidable challenger for Sweden. Notably, German medal hopeful Victoria Carl will not compete due to suspension for a doping violation.

In ice hockey, captain Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche is recovering from a rib injury sustained in an NHL play. While he wore a red jersey during recent training sessions indicating he is not ready for contact, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expressed optimism about Landeskog’s readiness for Sweden’s Olympic debut on February 11. Bednar noted that if the Olympics started earlier, Landeskog would need additional game time, but the current timeline offers a good chance for full recovery.

Together, Sweden's preparations signal a blend of strong medal prospects in cross-country skiing and cautious optimism in ice hockey, as athletes race against time to fine-tune form and overcome injuries for the Winter Games.