PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Just over four years ago, Per Elofsson suffered a stroke.
And it is only now that the skiing legend feels fully recovered for the first time.
– I couldn’t walk, and I could barely talk. It has taken a long time to get back to where I am now, says Per Elofsson in an interview with Sportbibeln.
Per Elofsson, 45, is one of our absolute greatest in Swedish cross-country skiing. With his three World Cup golds, his Olympic bronze from Salt Lake City 2022 together with a bunch of World Cup victories, Elofsson has achieved the star status he has today.
“Couldn’t go”
In October 2005, Per Elofsson announced that his skiing career would end. Since then, a lot has happened on the private plane.
– I worked for almost 10 years at Swedbank where I built up a service for elite athletes and artists. Then I changed careers and did five years in civil engineering, and now I thought I would change tracks again and start studying at the end of January here. It’s full speed, says Per Elofsson to Sportbibeln.
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But all has not been gold and green forests for Per Elofsson, to put it mildly. Just over four years ago, he suffered a stroke, and the process surrounding the whole thing would prove to be lengthy.
– It changes you a lot. Partly, you get to stop and see what really means something to yourself, you have gained a greater gratitude for life. I was paralyzed, the whole right side was gone. I couldn’t walk, I could barely talk, says Per Elofsson.
– I still notice that things are happening and it is not until now until the winter of 2023 that I have been able to ski again. I have had problems with motor skills and balance. It has taken a long time to get back to where I am now.
READ MORE: When Elofsson completely crushed the pimples doped
Tried to think positively
But despite the difficult years, Per Elofsson has tried his best to look at it all positively.
– I think I accepted quite quickly that, “now it’s this way”. You have to try to see the positive and work forward, instead of comparing with how it has been. Then you would dig yourself down all the time and think that everything is awkward and difficult. I’ve probably carried that mindset with me from sports, even though it’s been a tough period on the outside, I’ve tried to see something positive about the situation you’re in.
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Recently, the Sports Gala took place, but Per Elofsson was not there. In fact, he hasn’t appeared at the gala for many years.
– When I got sick, I didn’t have the energy to go there. It’s still that feeling, I’ve never been a person who likes to be in the center either. A whole evening.. It takes a while when it’s a TV broadcast and there are people who come forward, there are questions here and there.. I’m a bit of an introvert too, says Elofsson before adding, however:
– On the other hand, I absolutely do not say no to the Sports Gala in the future, now that it has started to get back into phase.
READ MORE: Therese Johaug strikes back against Swedish skiing profiles Elofsson and Fredriksson