It's been an intense summer for para star Zebastian Modin. The 32-year-old has become a father to Otto, who recently turned one month old.
He is kind and sleeps well. You may not get as much rest as before when you are off, but you grow as a person and become a little softer.
Offered help immediately
Last season was like a roller coaster. He sums it up in one word: chaotic.
I was tired in the autumn and I got a stomach ache in January and February. There were a lot of little things that ruined many races.
Then there was another factor that also affected him: training alone. Zebastian Modin lost his motivation and joy for the sport.
I've always found biathlon a lot of fun to watch and have competed a bit myself before just to get more races in. So I called the biathlon association and Johannes Lukas (the national team captain). I asked if they could help me in any way.
The response was quick. The association offered help and Johannes Lukas has taken the time to train Modin in Östersund. In October, Modin will travel to Ruhpolding with the national biathlon team for a training camp.
He (Johannes Lukas) has really put in 100 percent. He is incredibly good at planning training sessions.
The national team captain: "No difference"
The national captain himself is full of praise for Modin.
I see him as a regular active, so now I have 15 actives to train. For me there is no difference between "Zebbe" and Sebastian Samuelsson.
How much will he train with the national team?
We started a little later because he had a child. But we have done a few sessions together and then he has also done them with the ladies. The most important thing is that it suits both of us, says Johannes Lukas.
What awaits Zebastian Modin next season is unclear. He does not want to set any goals.
Above all, I want to feel good in my body and have good races in biathlon and long distance. Performances will probably vary in biathlon because I'm new, but I want it to be good. It's great fun to get the spark back.
Born: June 20, 1994 (age 32), in Frösö parish.
Club: Östersunds SK.
Sports: Parasports (long distance and biathlon).
Accompanying person: Albin Ackerot.
Main achievements: Four Paralympic silver medals (sprint and mixed relay 2014, sprint 2018, 12.5 km freestyle 2022) and six Paralympic bronze medals (sprint 2010, 20 km 2014, sprint and 20 km 2022, sprint and 10 km 2026). Eleven World Cup medals, of which five are gold. Winner of the overall World Cup in long distance seven times.
Disability: Blind. Modin was born with the eye disease glaucoma and after a botched operation when he was six, he lost all vision in his left eye. When he was twelve, he also lost the vision in his right.
Class: NS1, skaters with blindness, compete with dark glasses. Competes against skaters in classes NS2 and NS3, with minor vision impairments.
Source: Swedish Paralympic Committee.
