This is the last chance for 36-year-old Calle Halfvarsson, who has had a tough season so far, characterized by illness and weak results.
But if he performs in Sunday's 10 kilometer classic in Oberhof - he is not selected for Saturday's freestyle sprint - he might still make it to a fourth consecutive Olympics.
"There are still some Olympic spots left to fill on the men's side, so strong results will be important if you are going to be in the running to go to the Olympics," says Anders Byström, Sweden's national team manager, in a press release.
Own initiative
There are a maximum of two places left, both on the men's side, in the Swedish Olympic squad in cross-country skiing. The final names will be presented by the Swedish Olympic Committee next Tuesday.
Calle Halfvarsson is competing this season outside the national team. However, he started with a poor debut for Sweden in Gällivare in November and has not had a chance in the World Cup since then - until now.
Initially, his focus was on the Olympic sprint, but now it looks like he is instead fighting for a place as a distance runner.
No Myhlback
He will be accompanied to Oberhof by national team stars such as Jonna Sundling and Linn Svahn, who both competed in the Tour de Ski at the turn of the year.
“It will be exciting to see them in the World Cup again,” says Anders Byström.
Two national team debutants, sprinters Erik Johansson and Oskar Algotsson, will also get a chance after good performances in the Scandinavian Cup before Christmas.
Several skiers already qualified for the Olympics, however, are skipping the competitions in Oberhof. Among them are Ebba Anderson, Frida Karlsson, Johanna Hagström and Edvin Anger. Alvar Myhlback, also qualified for the Olympics, is not competing in Oberhof. He instead plans to compete in the long-distance cup in the Swiss Engadin on Saturday.
Sprint, women: Maja Dahlqvist, Evelina Crüsell, Moa Ilar, Moa Lundgren, Jonna Sundling, Linn Svahn.
Sprint, men: Oskar Algotsson, Emil Danielsson, George Ersson, Johan Häggström, Erik Johansson, Jesper Persson.
10 km, women: Maja Dahlqvist, Evelina Crüsell, Moa Ilar, Moa Lundgren, Jonna Sundling, Linn Svahn.
10 km, men: Emil Danielsson, Johan Ekberg, Calle Halfvarsson, Johan Häggström, Leo Johansson, Eric Rosjö.
