PHOTO: Bildbyrån
There will be no Olympics in Sweden in 2030.
A decision that Sebastian Samuelsson questions.
– I was very surprised, says the biathlete to Radiosporten.
It was a perfect start to the World Cup season for Sebastian Samuelssonwhen he together with Hanna Öberg won the mixed relay in the premiere in Östersund. But in the distance race of 20 kilometers it was only seventh place, despite a fine effort by Samuelsson.
Samuelsson’s shock
After a few days of recovery, it is time for the men’s relay on Thursday. They have a lot to live up to after the women’s second place on Wednesday.
Something else that happened this week is that the International Olympic Committee announced that Sweden is no longer a candidate to host the 2030 Olympics. Instead, the IOC will go ahead with France as the only candidate.
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It was a decision that Sebastian Samuelsson was shocked by.
– I was very surprised when I heard the news. Surprised that they choose to proceed only with France, of course. Quite disappointed too, I think it’s quite sad, because I had been looking forward to an Olympics in Sweden. Above all, I didn’t think it would end already at this stage, he tells Radiosporten.
Aims criticism
Sweden was detailed and clear in its application, something Samuelsson does not consider France to be.
– From what I understand, France is not quite ready with its entire application, where all the sports should be and so on. That you don’t have the whole plan ready and stuff like that. And I think Sweden had a good concept and that we kind of went in with the expectation that we would be able to talk in this third phase.
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This is the ninth time Sweden has been denied hosting the Olympic Games. Samuelsson has difficulty understanding what Sweden is missing.
– Yes, that is a good question. It seems the IOC is taking a bit of a stab at this with government guarantees and so on. But I think that it is something that could have been obtained in this third phase. So yes, I think it was a bit of a hasty decision. Especially given that France is not ready with all its parts either, he tells Radiosporten.
READ MORE: Stina Nilsson’s first words after the big disappointment – now she admits her fear of the future: “I haven’t got it…”
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