Ebba Andersson was on her way to bronze in the three-mile race at the 2022 Olympics, but dropped to eighth place in the final kilometer.
When the ski star analyzed the collapse, it was clear that her missed period and loss of energy were related to training and diet.
It was a consequence of me eating too little for what I was training. When I then understood what effect it would have to make it more balanced, the results also came afterwards, she said during the SOK camp in Crete last year.
Andersson received help from a dietitian and, as her balance between exercise and diet improved, her periods also returned.
“The basics of success”
The ski team has brought chefs to championships in recent years. To the World Championships in Trondheim last year, they even had two chefs with them – which ended with eleven medals (Andersson three gold). And for the Olympics in Milano-Cortina, the ski team booked its own hotel and brought its own chef.
"We saw that in Beijing we were at a loss in energy because the food in the Olympic village was not really nutritious. We saw that in some races, that we didn't have the right energy," says Anders Byström in Crete.
We have prioritized diet now. I would say that it is almost the key to our success. At the Olympics there is a competition almost every day, so we have real challenges all the time.
Ebba Andersson is happy that they have their own chef at the Olympics.
It is desirable to have it as similar as at home, and it is easier with your own chef, she says.
Same eating habits
The biathlon national team also usually has its own chef with them to the World Championships. But not during the Olympics because the national team has stayed at the same hotel for several years and has had the hotel adapt the food to their preferences. In addition, they now share a hotel with Norway, which has similar eating habits.
It's unusual for me as a German, with all the snacks and evening coffee. But it's very common in Sweden, and Norway has it too. So it's easier now that we live together, says national team coach Johannes Lukas at the autumn kick-off meeting.
The Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK) has had chefs and dietitians assess the menus at all Olympic accommodation in Italy and will make additions if necessary during the Games, says sports director Fredrik Joulamo.
