Feb 14 • 18:53 UTC 🇸🇪 Sweden SVT Nyheter

Hanna Öberg on medal expectations: 'It's mostly from you (the media)'

The Swedish biathlon team has yet to secure any medals in their current competition, despite having strong expectations; athletes claim they are not impacted by the pressure.

The Swedish biathlon team remains without any medals after completing three of six distance events, despite holding realistic hopes for podium finishes in each. Following the women’s sprint event, athletes were asked by SVT Sport whether they felt influenced by the absence of medals, to which many responded that they maintained focus on their performance rather than the pressure of expectations. Linn Gestblom explained the importance of drawing positives from each race, regardless of the outcome.

Hanna Öberg, another competitor, dismissed the notion that the team was affected by the lack of medals, referring to the media's role in increasing pressure. She emphasized that competing should be about personal progression and learning from each race. While she acknowledged that the team aims for strong results, she suggests that athletes can utilize experiences from potential mistakes to improve in subsequent races.

Interestingly, one athlete admitted that the absence of medals could slightly influence performance, showcasing the varying degrees of psychological impact among the team members. This mixed response highlights the mental challenges athletes face when dealing with external expectations, particularly as they prepare for upcoming competitions, including the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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