PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Frida Karlsson called the Finnish city a “shithole” – and received great criticism in Finland.
Now the ski star backs down from the statement.
– I apologize here and now to the entire Finnish people, says Karlsson to Expressen.
It was on October 16 that two Swedes were killed and one injured in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The shooting took place in connection with the Swedish national football team’s EC qualifying match against Belgium. According to Belgian reports, at least one of the victims was wearing a Swedish national team shirt.
Finnish criticism
Since the terrorist attack, a minute’s silence has been observed before all SHL and Allsvenskan matches. The players have also played in mourning bands.
The shooting has also led to several Swedish teams increasing security around travel and events. Frida Karlsson said in SVT that she will travel civilly going forward. The skiing star also said that she feels safer when the cross-country team goes to “shitholes” such as Ruka (Finland) and Livigno (Italy), which are not major “terror sites”.
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But the fact that Karlsson called Ruka a “shithole” has caused great anger among our neighbors in the east. Frida says that since the statement she has received a lot of angry messages from Finland. Now she wants to explain herself.
– The whole thing is a clear sign that I am an athlete and not a politician. I meant that Ruka is a small place if you compare it to, for example, Brussels. And thus not as risky. I have no problem whatsoever with Ruka. On the contrary, I think it’s great there, says the 24-year-old to Expressen.
Karlsson poodles
Despite this, Karlsson can understand the big reactions in Finland.
– I absolutely understand their reaction. It would have been felt in my heart if someone had spoken badly about Sollefteå, where I am from. But that was absolutely not what I meant, she says to the evening newspaper.
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Last year’s Tour de Ski winner also wants to apologize for his careless expression.
– I apologize here and now to the entire Finnish people. I was the one who formulated myself poorly. I really hope they don’t think I think Ruka is a shitty place, because I don’t. I just meant that it’s a small town. I mean, in that case, Sollefteå is a shitty place too, says Frida with a smile.
READ MORE: The national skiing team acts after the terrible act in Brussels – Frida Karlsson reveals the new changes: “It’s terrible”
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