The distance between Milan and Cortina, the two main Olympic venues, is approximately 410 kilometers and the journey takes almost five hours by car and between five and eight hours - depending on connections - if you choose the train.
From Milan to Livigno, where ski cross and mogul races are held, it is just over 230 kilometers and takes four hours by car.
The geographical spread makes the Winter Games unique.
The cluster arrangement means traveling between venues is, in principle, out of the question for the Swedish squad.
“A challenge”
"It has been a challenge," says Fredrik Joulamo, sports director and team manager at the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), about the planning.
"You could say it's the same for everyone, but that's not really true, because we represent a lot of clusters and not being able to move smoothly between the competition venues makes a difference."
During previous Olympics, staff have traveled between locations to support athletes, but for Italy, the SOK has had to take competition location by competition location, specifying what is needed at each location to maximize the athletes' performance.
In addition, Joulamo and his team have had to think a bit more about how to create cohesion among athletes in different sports, since the Swedish squad will not be housed together in a large Olympic village.
"I think you can get a lot of strength from colleagues in other sports - to get inspiration and so on. Now we have to solve it in other ways. We'll watch each other on TV, maybe have celebrations via Teams and other things," he says.
More fun with the king
However, the athletes are of the opinion that digital celebrations are not optimal, but at the same time feel that any shared elements are positive and can unite the scattered Swedish Olympic squad.
"You have to do what you can. We are one of the teams that are furthest away; there are other teams that are perhaps closer to each other and can have a bit more of an Olympic feel. I certainly think that SOK is working on getting this team feeling in their own way, and that is positive," says biathlete Anna Magnusson.
Biathlon colleague Sebastian Samuelsson:
"That sounds like a good solution. Then you can celebrate properly online anyway."
However, digital cheering doesn't appeal to Jesper Nelin, who is also a biathlete.
"It was more fun celebrating medals with the king last time. Celebrations via Teams don't feel as fun."
The Olympics open on Friday.
Anders Wallin/TT
Ingela Ahlberg/TT
Facts: This is where the Swedes' Olympic sports are decided
TT
Milan: ice hockey, figure skating.
Bormio: Alpine skiing (men).
Livigno: Ski cross, moguls (single and parallel), slopestyle, big air.
Antholz: Biathlon.
Val di Fiemme: Cross-country skiing, ski jumping.
Cortina: Alpine skiing (ladies), luge, curling.
The opening ceremony will take place at San Siro in Milan on February 6th and the closing ceremony will take place in Verona on February 22nd.
