Walter Wallberg's Secret Back Injury Challenges His 2026 Olympic Hopes

Walter Wallberg, Sweden's reigning Olympic mogul skiing champion, has revealed that he has battled a stress fracture in his back for over a year, a condition he kept hidden from most people, including many teammates. The disclosure came as part of an emotional account in SVT's documentary "Walter vs Walter," where Wallberg detailed the physical pain and psychological strain the injury caused during his Olympic preparation for the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina.

Wallberg experienced such severe back pain last November that he was forced to halt his pre-season training. Medical evaluations indicated he was developing a herniated disc and that the stress fracture might be an old injury with poor blood supply, complicating the healing process. These factors raised fears that his injury could worsen and potentially threaten his participation in the upcoming Olympics.

Despite his struggles, Wallberg returned to training after a brief break and impressively finished second in his World Cup debut. He described his reluctance to speak openly about the injury due to feelings of shame and the fear of being labeled injury-prone, stating, "I don't know what to do" during his low points. His story highlights the intense pressure elite athletes face when coping with injuries behind the scenes while competing at the highest levels.

As a 2022 Olympic gold medalist and Sweden's key medal hopeful for 2026, Wallberg's injury saga underscores the vulnerability even top athletes endure. The documentary "Walter vs Walter" captures his candid reflections and personal growth amid these challenges.