It appears that it will take a long time before the Swedish biathlon star Linn Gestblom, formerly Persson, can compete again.
Gestblom will focus primarily on training this season, according to the Swedish Biathlon Association in a press release.
"My rehabilitation is progressing steadily, but with two major operations in a short time, my body needs time to fully recover. To catch up with training and be fully ready, I have decided, together with the medical team, that I will not focus on competing this season", says the 30-year-old.
National team doctor Magnus Oscarsson says in the press release that the rehabilitation process is normal:
"Linn had a shoulder operation about six months ago, which first requires healing and then building up to be able to perform at maximum with very high loads. It's something entirely different from returning to a normal job".
The focus for Gestblom is the Olympic Games 2026, in just over 15 months. The Värmland native was part of the Swedish gold team in the OS relay in Beijing 2022. Her most successful championship was the World Championship 2023, where she also won silver and bronze individually, in addition to the relay bronze.
