Sweden is fielding a strong team in the first Olympic race, Saturday's skiathlon (starting at 13:00). The reigning world champion in the event (Ebba Andersson), the runner-up in the overall World Cup (Moa Ilar) and someone who can win every distance race she competes in (Frida Karlsson) are three hot medal candidates.
But it is the fourth, a sprint specialist, who is painted as perhaps the biggest pre-race favorite.
"If she's just included, everyone knows she'll be terribly dangerous in the final sprint hill. Most people are probably afraid of our other three as well, but they're probably most afraid of Jonna," says national team manager Anders Byström.
“Fire in the belly”
Jonna Sundling, with three Olympic gold medals and a World Cup gold medal in individual sprinting, has never finished better than third in a skiathlon race as a senior. So why do so many paint her as the one to beat?
Perhaps considering what happened at the World Championships in Trondheim just under a year ago.
"I get a little fire in my belly when I think about it. I was quite emotionally upset after that race. I was completely empty and paralyzed. In retrospect, I have understood that I was very disappointed that it felt like there was more to be gained," says Jonna Sundling.
She took bronze in that World Championship skiathlon (Ebba Andersson won). It was the first individual championship medal of her career in a distance race. But if it hadn't been for a fall before the last lap - where she also dragged Norwegian Heidi Weng with her - the feeling was that a Sundling in great shape was on her way to something bigger.
When I think about it, I get a little pissed off. But it's in a good way, so I'm going to try to use it as fuel.
Understands rivals' concerns
A skiathlon consists of two parts: 10 kilometers in classic style followed by a ski change and then finishing with 10 kilometers of skating. And no one wants to bring the world's best sprinter into the stadium in Val di Fiemme when it's decided.
It's clear that Jonna Sundling feels it.
I can understand them.
Even though she already has eight championship gold medals, a victory on Saturday would be something special. The 31-year-old has always strived to become a skater who can compete at all distances, not just sprints.
The distance races are not more important. But it would probably be a little more exciting, it would be a little more unique to succeed there.
Born: December 28, 1994 (age 31) in Umeå.
Club: Piteå.
Main achievements: World Championships 2025: gold in sprint, sprint relay, relay and bronze in skiathlon. World Championships 2023: gold in sprint and sprint relay. Olympics 2022: gold in sprint, silver in sprint relay, bronze in relay. World Championships 2021: gold in sprint and sprint relay.
Current: The 2026 Olympics will begin with skiathlon on Saturday.
