As Sweden prepares for the Olympic distance events in biathlon, athletes express concerns about the high altitude of the competition sites. Notably, Hanna Öberg, who achieved her breakthrough gold medal at the 2018 Olympics, and Ella Halvarsson, who secured silver at last year's World Championships, are among the athletes under scrutiny. At altitudes exceeding 1,600 meters, the reduced oxygen levels could hinder performance and recovery times.

Athletes are emphasizing the importance of being vigilant about their physical limits, with Anna Magnusson highlighting that the shortage of oxygen leads to exhaustion that can strike unexpectedly. This situation poses a significant challenge, as competitors may find themselves overwhelmed if they do not closely monitor their physical state while racing. Martin Ponsiluoma, another prominent Swedish biathlete, stresses the need for personal intuition and awareness during the competition, where the risks of hitting the proverbial wall are heightened by the altitude.

The Swedish team's historical success in distance events at the Winter Olympics builds anticipation, but the conditions at high elevation are raising legitimate concerns about the athletes' ability to perform at their best. As they approach the 2026 Olympics, the focus is not only on the medals at stake but also on how altitude affects stamina and overall race strategies.