PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Linn Persson has many supporters at home in Östmark.
The biathlete is even more popular than God.
– There is actually a truth behind it, says priest Jonas Bodinger Larsson.
During his career, Lynn Persson, 29, won two Olympic medals: gold and silver in the relay in 2022 and 2018, respectively. She also has five World Cup medals, two silver and three bronze. Three of them came during the last championship in Oberhof. Since his World Cup debut in 2015, Persson has taken three podium places in the World Cup.
Greater than God
After her career-best last season, the 29-year-old underwent double surgeries. Persson operated on the shoulder to stabilize it so that the joint ball does not slide out of the socket, and in the groin she has received a net to support it. Since then, Linn has largely been involved in rehab training, and it is still unclear if she will be able to compete this season.
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The biathlete was born in Östmark in Värmland. In the town, which is located in Torsby municipality, Linn Persson is a big star, and she has a lot of support in her home area. So much support that many of the residents would rather sit at home and cheer for Linn than go to church on competition days.
So, is Linn Persson bigger than God in Örtmark?
– There is actually a little truth behind it. It usually turns out to be “aha now on Sunday, well now it’s the Biathlon World Cup, then we’ll see how many people actually come to church”.
– It shows, I actually think so. But I have no scientific statistics on this, says Jonas Bodinger Larssonpriest in Fryksände pastorate, to P4 Värmland.
Jonas has a proposal for a solution to get more biathlon lovers to church.
– I also feel this way, as a folk church, we should go out and make use of it. It feels a little silly if I’m standing in the church here and there are a few people sitting in the pews, and then I know that everyone in the village outside the church is sitting and cheering for Linn Persson. Why can’t we do a biathlon service?, he says to the radio channel.
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She who is greater than God himself has commented on the resurrection, and is also positive about Jonah’s idea.
– I think that we are not really competitors, but I think the proposal that we heard here was quite good, right? It would be something, turn on a big screen in the church, it’s killing two birds with one stone.
– Of course, it feels great to have an entire village on your back, Linn Persson concludes.
READ MORE: Linn Persson’s wonderful message of joy after the tough times – with double operations: “Now I can do everything”
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