The big prospect left the Olympics last week. Nevertheless, the national team management has assessed whether he wants to return for Saturday's 50 kilometers final.
We tried, but he said no. He's so into the Vasalopp idea now, says national team manager Byström.
Myhlback was also primarily intended as a reserve, in case someone else fell ill at the last minute.
As things stand now, we asked him yesterday if he could come and be a backup in case someone got sick tonight, but it's understandable that he doesn't want to make that trip now, says Byström.
Advertisement
Too many hills?
According to men's coach Lars Ljung, it's mainly because Myhlback isn't prepared. There's a big difference between 90 kilometers on flat terrain in Vasaloppet, which the 19-year-old won last year, and 50 kilometers up and down at the Olympics.
"We have 1,900 vertical meters to clear tomorrow and the majority of the course will be uphill. That's a big factor for us. It takes extreme preparation to be ready for such a task," says Ljung.
They still wanted to gauge the situation because they wanted Myhlback to try it and see how it felt.
"It's a good experience to race the 5,000m at the Olympics. In four years he might be the favorite," says Byström.
Advertisement
Many already at home
The men's 5km team is now down to just three: Johan Häggström, Gustaf Berglund and Calle Halfvarsson. William Poromaa was also supposed to run but has fallen ill and is on his way home.
On the women's side, it will be Frida Karlsson - if she is healthy enough - as well as Ebba Andersson, Jonna Sundling and Emma Ribom, who will run in their race on Sunday.
Moa Ilar - with one victory, two second-place and two third-place finishes in the World Cup this year - has been set aside.
"She doesn't feel like her form has been there during this championship. Together we have talked about looking ahead to the World Cup where she is in a good position. So she has gone home and started preparing for the World Cup," says women's coach Stefan Thomson at a press conference in Val di Fiemme.
Advertisement
Sprint winner Linn Svahn has also left the Olympics and gone home.
