PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The Swedish biathlon stars have been suffering from illnesses over the Christmas holiday.
Now the national team’s head coach, Johannes Lukas, criticizes the new points system – and believes that it is the basis for the illness.
– You have to think about whether it’s worth it or not, says Lukas to Radiosporten.
Several of the Swedish biathletes have had a successful start to the season. Not least Anna Magnusson who recently took home his very first victory in his career when there were double Swedes scrambling on the podium in the form of Magnusson and Lynn Persson. But just in time for Christmas, clouds of worry began to gather since several Swedes fell ill.
The Swedish diseases
The aforementioned Magnusson contracted covid-19, just like the coach John Luke also did. At the same time have Hanna Öberg, Sebastian Samuelsson and Jesper Nelin pulled with colds. As a result, the Christmas training plans did not go as planned for the Swedish part.
– It didn’t turn out the way we imagined. We have everyone back in training today (Wednesday) for the first time. Anna Magnusson is back with a quiet shift, Hanna Öberg has also taken it easy today. Jesper Nelin has had a cold just like Sebastian Samuelsson who has had a cold for a long time. I have to wait a couple of days before I can say who will be taken out, says Johannes Lukas to Radiosporten.
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The national team coach also believes that the new points system is a culprit in the drama. Sebastian Samuelsson had just caught a cold, but still competed in France before Christmas. In the past, riders have been able to cancel their two worst competitions, for example if they felt crass. But starting this year, all competitions are counted.
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“Not quite one hundred”
Samuelsson was hesitant to start in France, but chose to compete despite the cold. Something he probably wouldn’t have done if the new points system didn’t exist.
– We discussed that on the spot, that he didn’t feel completely at one hundred. But he chose to compete anyway, of course also because of the new system, says Johannes Lukas.
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Which also adds:
– Maybe it wasn’t the best choice. But it is a lesson that you should think through whether it is worth starting or not.
The World Cup restarts in Slovenian Pokljuka on January 5.
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