Both Hanna Öberg and Linn Gestblom will miss this winter’s biathlon season because they are expecting children.
The duo made up half of the relay team that won silver at the Olympics in February. Öberg in particular has long been a mainstay of the team, which has won a string of medals in recent years.
Still a strong team
Elvira Öberg and Anna Magnusson made up the other half of the Olympic team, and both believe Sweden will have a good chance in the relay going forward, despite Hanna Öberg and Linn Gestblom being absent.
First of all, I want to say that I am very happy for them, Elvira Öberg tells TT.
We are losing two who are usually part of the team, but there is no reason to think we will not be able to do at least as well without them. It is not all or nothing with Hanna and Linn. They will be missed, but we will manage without them too.
Anna Magnusson adds:
They are important cogs and have been for many years. But we have a very good depth. I think it will be noticeable that they are gone, but we will be fine without them.
It remains to be seen who will take the two vacant places in the relay team. Alongside Elvira Öberg and Anna Magnusson, Anna-Karin Heijdenberg, Ella Halvarsson, Sara Andersson and Johanna Skottheim are available.
We have a strong women’s team; we won the national cup last year. We are six girls in the A-team in addition to Hanna and Linn. All six are important, and all will probably be involved and share the relay spots during the season, Elvira Öberg says.
Hesitant to continue
For Anna Magnusson, this could have been a winter without biathlon. The 31-year-old had long been debating whether to continue her career.
But it didn’t feel right to stop. I just didn’t feel quite ready. It’s not like I feel I have to keep going until I win an individual World Championship medal. But I feel I took big steps last season, and I’m curious to see if I can get even better, she says.
This weekend, Magnusson and Elvira Öberg will compete in the Loop One Festival, a roller biathlon competition in Munich that usually attracts large crowds.
It will be a lot of fun to compete. It may not be the type of competition that usually suits me best, but it’s fun with all the spectators, Elvira Öberg says.
Olympics 2026: Silver (Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Anna Magnusson, Linn Gestblom)
World Championships 2025: Bronze (Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Anna Magnusson, Ella Halvarsson)
World Championships 2024: Silver (Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Anna Magnusson, Linn Persson)
World Championships 2023: Bronze (Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Anna Magnusson, Linn Persson)
Olympics 2022: Gold (Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Linn Persson, Mona Brorsson)
