Cross-country skiing: Swedish athletes share their final impressions before the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games
With five days to go until the first event of the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina, 10 of the 16 qualified Swedish cross-country sk iers spoke to their national media on Monday 2 February. Nordic Magazine took part in this discussion via videoconference, while the athletes were scattered across Europe.
While most of the team is in training at Seefeld (Austria), Ebba Andersson is preparing in Sollefteå (Sweden). Frida Karlsson, Jonna Sundling and Moa Ilar (who did not take part in the conference) are already on the Olympic slopes at Tesero in Val di Fiemme (Italy).
Edvin Anger: “Reaching a higher level after an inconsistent season”.
“I didn’t always get the results I wanted this season [3 podiums], particularly in the classics. I’ve found it hard to express myself in the sprint at times, like at the Tour de Ski where I was inconsistent [10th in Toblach, 14th in Val di Fiemme, editor’s note]. I’m aware that I’m capable of reaching a higher level, especially with the possibilities offered by this Olympic track. Let’s hope it’s not as easy for Johannes [Hoesflot Klæbo] as it was on the Tour de Ski.
Ebba Andersson: “I’ve made a full recovery from my illness”.
“I’m coming here with more certainty than I did at my previous Olympics. A lot has happened since my first one eight years ago. I’m obviously different. I now know what works for me and what doesn’t, especially in this final preparation phase. […] Obviously, falling ill a month before the Olympic Games wasn’t ideal, but I accepted it and I’ve recovered. I’m now fully recovered. With this long break, my body has responded well to training. It’s complicated to know where I’ll be in competition, but I remain humble and serene for these Olympics.
William Poromaa: “I’m trying to stay optimistic”.
“I don’t really know where I stand. I’m trying to stay optimistic; I’m used to a less than ideal start to the season [17th place as my best World Cup result, editor’s note]. I’ve prepared myself mentally so that I can arrive in Italy refreshed and with extra energy. I still have some pain in my upper back, although it’s getting better. I’ve had to cancel a training session and I’ve rescheduled others.
Calle Halfvarsson: “My fourth Olympic Games, after a special season”.
“It’s special to be selected for the Olympics again, for the fourth time. I first took part in 2014: I could be the father of some of my partners! What’s more, I’m still having fun with them and I feel at ease in the group. […] This season has been special: I didn’t take part in all the World Cup stages [3 starts, editor’s note], or all the training courses. But as I’ve got older, I’ve learned to put things into perspective. When I go home to my family, I tell myself that they are the most important.
The full programme for cross-country skiing at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
Saturday 7 February
- 1.00 pm: women’s 10 km CT + 10 km FT skiathlon
Sunday 8 February
- 12.30pm: men’s 10 km CT + 10 km FT skiathlon
Tuesday 10 February
- 9.15am: Women’s CT sprint qualifiers
- 9.55am: CT men’s sprint qualifiers
- 11.45am: men’s and women’s CT sprint finals
Thursday 12 February
- 13:00: Women’s individual 10 km FT
Friday 13 February
- 12.00: Men’s individual 10 km FT
Saturday 14th February
- 12.00: Women’s 4×7.5 km CT/FT relay
Sunday 15 February
- 12.00: Men’s 4×7.5 km CT/FT relay
Wednesday 18 February
- 9.45am: FT women’s team sprint qualifiers
- 10.15am: FT men’s team sprint qualifiers
- 11.45am: Women’s FT team sprint final
- 12.15pm: FT men’s team sprint final
Saturday 21 February
- 11.00: 50 km mass-start CT men
Sunday 22 February
- 10.00: women’s 50 km CT mass-start
- Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium: everything you need to know about the Val di Fiemme stadium, which hosts the cross-country skiing events at the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games.
- The full cross-country skiing programme at the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games
- The podium in the heat of the moment: the Olympic medals will be presented at the competition site immediately after the events.
- Rule 40: the IOC ban that poisons the relationship between athletes and their sponsors during the Olympic Games
- The only winter sportsman to carry the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony will be… a Tongan
