The snow is falling in the mist. There is a clatter as the last Olympic fences are put in place. In the background, music flows from the sound system and a few metres from Rickard Noberius, a couple of journalists are standing and talking.
None of this much bothers the Swedish national team doctor when he is interviewed at the ski stadium in Val di Fiemme.
For Linn Svahn, it's not as easy - even though a year has passed since she suffered a concussion in a fall just before the World Championships in Trondheim.
Like an engine at high speed
Therefore, the cross-country star is given greater freedom during the Winter Olympics, which for cross-country skiers begins with the women's skiathlon on Saturday.
When we stand and talk here, we filter out a lot of things around us. We don't think about the snow falling, the music coming from the speakers, or the people moving in the background or next to us. But if you have brain fatigue, you can't handle it, and many impressions go straight into your brain. It's like having a gasoline engine running at very high speed, says Rickard Noberius.
What are the risks if it gets too much?
Both that she would deteriorate mentally and that she would be physically unable to perform, says Noberius.
He gives an example of a press day last fall.
Then Linn was completely exhausted and was out of training for about a week and a half. So we filter as much as possible here.
Sprint on Tuesday
During the Olympics, Svahn's media appearances will be kept to a minimum, and interviews will preferably take place in a quiet environment. She will also be exempted from several of the national team's otherwise mandatory group activities, including the ability to participate in team meetings digitally from her room.
"You have to think a little bit about whether it's been a day at the stadium or something else that's been stressful. And to constantly have a dialogue about when she needs to rest and to be left alone," says women's coach Stefan Thomson.
The tough competition means that Linn Svahn will probably not compete in the skiathlon. However, she is highly anticipated in the classic sprint on Tuesday, especially after winning the same distance in the World Cup in Goms less than two weeks ago.
Until then, it's important to keep impressions down, says Rickard Noberius:
She's on the edge, but she's managing it. But if we were to step up and add one or two (media opportunities), we'd go over it. And then you fall pretty quickly - and it takes a long time to climb back up.
