Entering the final stretch of the sprint relay, Sweden was still in the lead after Johan Häggström handed over to Edvin Anger in the leading group.
But then lactic acid hit on the first steep hill. And a chance at a medal became a tenth-place finish.
"It's no fun. Johan is doing really well. Unfortunately, I didn't have it in me today and that's how it has been in this championship," Anger said afterwards.
Hesitant about more
His Olympics have been in shambles ever since he fell early in the opening skiathlon race. His form is gone and his lungs are worn out.
Now he's not even sure there will be a final 50 km for him on Saturday.
"Yeah, I don't know. We'll see. I probably need to rest my lungs for a while. It feels a bit silly to challenge yourself with a 50-kilometre race and then go out and ski for two hours," says Anger.
"It's no fun to compete when it's not working. It's ten times more demanding on the body and mind when it's not working."
Historical fiasco?
For the Swedish men's team as a whole, the 2026 Olympics risk being a historic fiasco. At present, Truls Gisselman’s seventh place in the skiathlon is the best result, both individually and in the relay.
The Swedish men have never fared so badly before. The lowest point so far is the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics when they finished in sixth place – in the relay and via Christer Majbäck in the 50 km race.
"We are absolutely not where we should be," says Edvin Anger.
"It's tough. It's really hard when we don't reach the level that we know we have with some of the skiers," says men's coach Anders Högberg.
