PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The WC gold in 1987 changed Marie-Helene Östlund’s life forever.
Now she opens up about the back side of becoming a national celebrity overnight.
– Then Gunde said something when we went home on the plane, says “Billan” in an interview with Sportbibeln.
Before the World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf in 1987, no one had high expectations for the 20-year-old Marie-Helene Östlund, whose last name was then Westin. It was a World Cup bronze in the relay, but then the Swede shocked the entire skiing world when she took home a great World Cup gold in the 20 km freestyle.
Billan’s WC feat
She then became “Billan” with the entire Swedish people and a celebrated national celebrity overnight. The unexpected golden hero was awarded both the Bragdguldet and the Jerring Prize in the same year and wrote Swedish sports history.
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Even today, she is reminded of the sensational WC gold more than 35 years ago.
– Yes, I remember well that… I was very balanced that day – and calm – I was even a little late for breakfast, I think. I felt like, strong. Then I also had “The Day” with a capital D. It was as if everything was right. From the material, to the body, everything was in symbiosis in some way and I could have gone another two miles when I reached the finish line, that’s how it felt, says Östlund in an interview with Sportbibeln.
– In a way, it felt a little surreal that I had won WC gold at the same time as it was a dream come true.
Gunde Svan’s words
Marie-Helene’s life changed forever after the great feat in Oberstdorf and she became a Swedish skiing hero in the hearts of many. It led to enormous attention and it was not entirely easy for the young girl from Sollefteå.
– I was a very shy person, I didn’t really like the commotion, with everything around it. I could have done without it, because they marked me, all the journalists, they stood outside the hotel door and waited for me to come out. And the way I was, I wanted to avoid it as much as possible so I remember jumping out of the hotel window to avoid answering all the questions. I thought I had answered all the questions already, so I had nothing more to answer, haha. I remember that, says Billan today.
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Östlund continues to open up about the tough backside of going from unknown to celebrated sports hero in such a short time. And she remembers the icon and teammate Gunde Tail decisive words to her on the plane home to Sweden.
– When I came home again, I thought: “Now it’s back to normal”, but it was never back to normal. Gunde (Svan) said something to me when we were going home on the plane, then he said: “Now you have to prepare for the worst, and then you have to think a little more when you get home” and that’s exactly how it was. What I reacted to the most was when I was shopping. First of all, people thought it was strange that I was shopping, that I didn’t have anyone shopping for me – and then they cared about what I bought. So anyone inside the grocery store looked down in my shopping cart and asked: “Yes, but can you take that?”. It was something you had to put up with, admits the Swedish hero.
When did you start to feel more normal again?
– Well, but it didn’t really happen, not while I was active. But of course the upheaval was mostly in the first year, of course.
Do you remember Billan’s unforgettable WC gold in 1987? Share the article and remind others!
READ MORE: Gunde Svan bursts into tears – after the private confession about the children Ferry Svan and Julia Svan: “It has gotten worse”
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