Biathlon: Sebastian Samuelsson talks about his summer preparations
Since the start of the week, Sebastian Samuelsson has been climbing with his team-mates from the Swedish biathlon team. For several days, the Scandinavians have been training on the Lavazè pass. Before heading to Italy, the leader of the yellow and blue team took the time to talk to ourExpressen colleagues.
In a lengthy interview, the 28-year-old biathlete spoke of his strong rivalry with his Norwegian rivals. After winning the last race of the winter in Oslo-Holmenkollen (Norway) in March, he held a provocative celebration in which he asked the local crowd for silence by putting his index finger over his mouth.
“The Norwegians booed me a lot at the time. Personally, I’m enjoying this fight between Sweden and Norway. Some people think it’s too much, or even arrogant, while others find it funny,” he admits. I think we have to play it so that our sport doesn’t become boring. It’s sport, but it has to be entertaining.
Regularly critical of the IBU over a number of decisions, Sebastian Samuelsson was also asked about the new competition being set up by the Austrian-based body, which will take place on the streets of Munich (Germany) in the autumn.
“I understand all the reasons behind this decision and why the IBU is proceeding in this way. There will also be an extra stage around the New Year. But we already have the impression that we are often absent for our loved ones. It’s becoming too much and we’re close to the limit,” he says.
The Swede knows, however, that adjustments may be possible. Within the team, we are currently trying to find solutions so that we can take our families with us during the training camps, so that the sport remains at the centre of our concerns and we can spend time with our loved ones,” he explains. It’s important to find other ways of making this training period more enjoyable.
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