Frida Karlsson has left the national team.
It can lead to problems this winter, says Anna Haag.
– You miss something incredibly important, she says to Radiosporten.
Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist are two of Sweden’s biggest sports stars, but will not belong to the national team’s training group until next season. You will still ride in the blue and yellow suit at competitions, but stand completely outside during camps and training.
“Do not know if it is so good”
The decision was made when Frida Karlsson said that she wants to be able to follow her own common thread when it comes to training arrangements, and at the same time not have to spend days in camp. But the decision has stirred emotions and there are many who have opinions about whether it is the right or wrong decision of the stars. Previously, sprint star Linn Svahn has also made the same decision.
Anna Haag made a full seven seasons in the World Cup, and in part she also had a plan outside the national team. Her experience is that the advantages of being part of the national team trump the disadvantages.
– I had a period where I ran my own setup, but was still part of the team, and that was because there were several of us in the team who needed to run some of our own setup. I can say now, with some time on it, that I do not know if it was that good. That it would have been better to stay in the team, to build the community, she tells Radiosporten.
“You miss it”
At the same time, The Hague understands that there may be times when development benefits from its own approach.
– I say that based on my own personal experiences. At the same time as I can feel that there were times when I was in a team, and had to stand outside the team, she says.
However, Anna Haag believes that Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist now miss an important aspect of the competition season – namely the community of being in a team.
– What you miss is building the community cape, which is incredibly important, because you spend an incredible amount of time together during the winter. What you gain from it is that you get to work on your own development, only. But in times of adversity, it can be useful to have the team with you. The summer and autumn are a good time to run your own set-up, but then it is important, when the season starts, to work extra on building this team again.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson’s clear criticism of the national team – furious at the decision after the defection: “Feels painted black”