PHOTO: Bildbyrån
He knew Stina Nilsson’s decision very well.
But still, national team manager Rikard Grip was surprised when it came.
– I have known for a long time that she has had those thoughts, he says to Aftonbladet.
That was last week Stina Nilsson announced his big decision to the outside world. After four years in biathlon, she had had enough and decided to end the whole venture.
Nilsson’s decision
The announcement was very surprising, but it is someone who knew about the plans to leave biathlon and switch to the new long-distance venture. Namely, it is the former cross-country skiing federation captain and now the general secretary of the biathlon association, Rikard Grip.
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He and Stina have followed each other closely for many years and actually switched sports from cross-country skiing to biathlon in the same year. They have spoken many times and therefore he knew about the plans for the long run – yet he was surprised when the news came.
– I have known for a long time that she has had those thoughts that she has wanted to try it, it is probably a bit the same as when she switched to biathlon. But I didn’t think now was the time she would do it. When Stina has decided what she wants to set her sights on, she is very clear about it and it is impressive that she has that drive. It is really challenging herself that is her focus, that is her driving force, says Grip to Aftonbladet.
Grip’s honest words
The biathlon manager also knows that it is useless to try to persuade Stina Nilsson when she has decided on something.
– I know her so well that I don’t think it’s something you should try to do. That is something that she felt very well that she wanted to do. It is an enormous amount of work that is required to succeed, so it is important to give everything, he says in the interview.
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There was a big uproar the last time Stina changed sports, and during her years as a biathlete she has received a lot of criticism. Grip does not believe that this change will generate as many headlines and that there will be less focus on her performances in the tracks.
– I don’t really think it will be fully at the same level, but that’s just my guess. She does this to see how good she can be, and that should be put in proportion to the expectations. She has not expressed any expectations that she will go in and win, she wants to challenge herself and see where her limits are. That perspective is important to have with you for such good competition, both in long-distance running and in biathlon, he says to the evening newspaper.
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READ MORE: Jonna Sundling’s brutally honest words after the shock announcement in the Swedish national ski team – the big disappointment: “Very surprised”
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