Marie-Helene Östlund wrote Swedish sports history as a 20-year-old.
Now she appeals to the new Swedish great talent Alvar Myhlback.
– That is what is required, says “Billan” in an interview with Sportbibeln.
Only 20 years old was turned Marie-Helene Östlunds, then Westin, life up and down over a day. She went from being a young, promising skier to a Swedish national hero and world champion.
Billan’s WC feat
The cross-country skier became “Billan” with the entire Swedish people after his incredible feat during the 1987 World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf. No one had expected that the 20-year-old would succeed in winning the WC gold in the two-mile and reach the greatest triumph of his career at such a young age.
The article continues after the picture.
Östlund was awarded both the Bragdguldet and the Jerring Prize for the great success on the ski slopes. And her life was never the same even though success never managed to reach the same heights again, Billan won three more WC medals and took two World Cup victories before hanging up her skis for good.
Advice to Myhlback
Nowadays, like most Swedes, she has opened her eyes to cross-country skiing’s new super talent. Expectations are really high for 17-year-olds Alvar Myhlback who many believe will become a new world star in the skiing world.
The article continues after the picture.
He made Swedish sports history as the youngest ever in the Vasaloppet at the beginning of last year and in December he made history again. Then Myhlback became the youngest men’s rower in Sweden of all time to make his debut at the World Cup when he came 37th in the 10-kilometer race in Gällivare.
Now Billan Östlund gives his honest view of the teenager’s future and appeals to him with valuable advice.
– Oh, he has really been written up in the media. But what is important is that he can stand up to all the expectations he has of himself. Now it seems he has the mental strength to pull it off. That is probably what is required for his future results, says the skiing hero from -87 to Sportbibeln.
– Then he has the future ahead of him because he is so young. But it will be very exciting to follow him, his development and see what it can bring.
How good do you think Alvar Myhlback can be? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Alvar Myhlback admits what he really thinks of Petter Northug – after the Norwegian’s great tribute
Sign up for our newsletter
Share