Frida Karlsson: Olympics as Final Challenge

OS – or “the last boss”, as Frida Karlsson calls it.

The first attempt, in Beijing 2022, was a disaster. But now the long-distance star shines.

– For once, I can stand here and maybe enjoy a championship, says Karlsson ahead of today’s Olympic premiere.

Do you remember the games in Beijing 2022? Frida Karlsson remembers, but perhaps prefers to forget.

She was completely out of sorts, collapsing several times during the races and then being stopped by the medical team from running the final three miles.

“Would go to war”

When she is now preparing for her second Olympics, in the Italian Val di Fiemme, it is, as she herself puts it, “like night and day” compared to four years ago, when there were also strict restrictions due to the corona pandemic.

– Then it was really like this: I was going to war. I put on the armor when I was going out and had a constant worry inside me, says Frida Karlsson.

– Now it’s more … show! That I’m going out and doing what I love.

For the cross-country skiers, the Olympics start today. Skiathlon, 20 kilometers, is on the program and Karlsson is one of the major medal candidates. And despite the failure in Beijing, she loves the Olympic Games – she always has.

– When you were little you watched the Olympics a lot, that’s where you wanted to be. You never thought about the steps in between, you just thought “that’s where I’m going”. And then you have really created a love for this game as it really is. And then I think it should be the last boss of the game, says Frida Karlsson.

Sista OSes?

The 26-year-old has previously said that she plans to end her career after the home WC in Falun in 2027. But she does not focus on the fact that this could be her last Olympic chance.

– No, I’m not that much in the train of thought. I’m more grateful to be standing here for once and maybe enjoy a championship as well. That I don’t have to worry about having injuries here and there and a lot of chores and such, says Frida Karlsson.

– Now it really feels like I can enjoy this bonus as it should be when you have trained for it for several years.

The ladies’ skiathlon starts at 1 p.m. The Swedish team consists of Ebba Andersson, Moa Ilar and Jonna Sundling in addition to Frida Karlsson.