The Swedish men's cross-country skiing team faced a severe blow to their reputation after a poor performance in a recent relay event, prompting them to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the incident. The team's last-place finish raised concerns about the equipment used, particularly the performance of their skis, which team member Calle Halfvarsson addressed by acknowledging the team’s failure to perform. The coaching and support staff, including Mattias Berglund, took full responsibility for the mishap and acknowledged the impact of being understaffed due to illness among key support personnel, which further exacerbated the situation.

Compounding this disappointment is the stark contrast in results between the men’s and women’s teams. While the men's team struggled, the Swedish women's team has enjoyed significant success, bringing home three golds, four silvers, and one bronze. This disparity has led to questions regarding the men’s team's performance and strategy. Only Truls Gisselman achieved a seventh-place finish in the combination event, which was not enough to lift the team's spirits especially since he has also fallen ill and left the competition, highlighting an ongoing turmoil within the men's squad.

The situation has stirred a sense of urgency within the Swedish skiing community to reassess their strategies and support structures, as the impact of such failures can be detrimental ahead of competitive events. The meeting’s conclusions and any changes made will be crucial for the men's team's future endeavors, particularly in trying to regain their standing in international competitions following this significant setback.