PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Frida Karlsson has had to receive a lot of reactions.
Now the Swedish ski star hits back against everything that was said.
– It is crossing the line, she tells Aftonbladet.
Last season was again a nice one too Frida Karlsson which has really established itself at the top of the world. The cross-country skier from Sollefteå came third in the overall World Cup and is one of the biggest poster names in the Swedish national team.
Karlsson surprised
She is only 25 years old and still has several good years in her career. But Frida caused strong reactions when she revealed this spring that the plan is to end her career already in two years, as a 27-year-old.
– I was surprised that people have so many opinions about it. It’s still my life, let me do what I want… There are several people your age who change jobs wildly. But when it comes to elite athletes, then it is crossing the line, says Karlsson to Aftonbladet.
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Frida Karlsson admitted in May that she envisioned a skiing WC in Falun in 2027 as the perfect end to her skiing career. After all the reactions, she wants to clarify that she loves her existence as a cross-country skier right now.
– You have to understand me correctly. There is nothing else I would rather be doing right now. I love my everyday life very much and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I’m also driven by setting a finish line in a way and thinking that it’s not forever. I really want to make the most of these three years. But I also know that there is more to do, says Karlsson in the interview.
– Then we’ll see. If I stand there in three years and feel that there is nothing else I would rather be doing, I will continue. Then I’ll extend that finish line, but as it feels right now, I like to set an end date.
Frida roars away
The 25-year-old is now fighting back against everyone who reacted negatively and was provoked by her plans to retire as a 27-year-old. Because there have been many people who have contacted her and said what they think of her.
– Yes, it is. Many. But I don’t think it’s an age issue either. If I had followed some age model, I wouldn’t have made it as a 19-year-old either. Then I’m way too early if you’re going to follow any model. I think it’s a matter of motivation and what you feel at the moment. That “this stimulates me the most now” or “this is where I develop myself and others the most”, she tells the evening newspaper.
– I think people get involved in something that they have absolutely nothing to say about. Sometimes you feel that an elite athlete is like a character in a movie that people just want to control in what to do. I can feel that way sometimes and then I want to say: “Listen, I’m a human too”.
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Frida Karlsson broke through as a 19-year-old and is now entering her seventh season at the World Cup. So far, she has collected an Olympic bronze, a World Cup gold, five World Cup silvers, four World Cup bronzes, an overall victory in the Tour de Ski and a total of 30 World Cup podiums.
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