Swedish Ski Team Faces Health Challenges Ahead of Winter Olympics

As the Swedish national skiing team undergoes their high-altitude training camp in Lavazè, Italy, they are grappling with a significant health scare. Nine skiers have fallen ill due to a cold that swept through the camp, disrupting their preparations just months before the Winter Olympics, which start on February 7, 2026, in Val di Fiemme. Maja Dahlqvist is one of the few skiers still training, expressing relief after navigating a night without symptoms, while teammates like Jonna Sundling and Emma Ribom have already been affected and forced to leave the camp.

Currently, only Dahlqvist, Johanna Hagström, and Moa Ilar are remaining on-site, highlighting the somber atmosphere as they witness other athletes packing up. In light of these developments, the remaining skiers are taking extra precautions to maintain their health, such as avoiding close quarters with coaches and employing unconventional hygiene measures. Also of note, Jens Burman, another skier stationed in Livigno, has adopted a novel method for maintaining cleanliness, opting to use his feet for flushing toilets.

This unexpected illness underscores the added pressure on the team as they strive to maintain peak fitness for the Olympics. The situation remains fluid, with skiers placing utmost importance on both training and health leading up to the major event.