Swedish Cross-Country: Sports Gala 2026 Stars

Andersson: “Not completely closed the door”

TOBLACH. The 2026 Sports Gala takes place in January.

But it will be without Swedish cross-country stars in place.

– Unfortunately, no skaters will come there, says national team manager Anders Byström to Sportbladet.

“Unfortunately, there will probably be nothing” – misses the sports gala

1:00

On January 21, Sweden’s top athletes will be honored at the Sports Gala.

But several Swedish cross-country stars will not attend. This is now confirmed by national team manager Anders Byström.

full screen

– It’s a shame, but it has to be. It is far too close to the Olympics and too great a risk (of being infected). There must be some others there who are less sensitive, who can represent the riders, he says and continues:

– No, it would not be good to recommend them to actually go there.

Do you stop them altogether?

– No, but no one has said they want to either. Or maybe they want to, but if it hadn’t been an Olympic season then absolutely. The Olympics are every four years, so you don’t want to take that risk.

“Would have been nice to be able to go”

Frida Karlsson announces that she will probably be at a high-altitude camp to train when the gala takes place.

full screen

– It won’t be a sports gala for me, she tells Sportbladet and continues:

– It would have been fun to be able to go for a few years. It’s fun to meet other athletes, it’s not often you get the opportunity to do that.

“There are a few percent who speak for it”

However, Ebba Andersson does not close the door completely.

full screen

– I’m not 100% decided, I’ll be honest. It’s more inclined to follow it from the TV couch, once again. That’s what’s a bit of a shame about the fact that we’re really in high season when it’s time for the gala. And that it is also short until the Olympics. The gala is perhaps not the highest priority for us, she says.

Andersson continues:

– There will probably be quite a lot of other things that are the main priority then. But I haven’t closed the door completely. There are a few percent who speak for it.

The Swedish cross-country team is now in place in Toblach for the Tour de Ski. Already tomorrow, Sunday, the competitions begin, with sprints in freestyle.

Tour de Ski runs between December 28 and January 4.