Filip Gravenfors comes through the spectator entrance of the moguls arena in Livigno, dressed from head to toe in Swedish Olympic clothing. He had taken the entire collection home, packed and ready for his first Olympics.
But in a training session before departure he fell on the hill and broke his collarbone. The Olympic debut had to be canceled.
Now the 21-year-old is already there surgery and feels reasonably mobile, even though it has only been a little over two weeks since the accident.
– They were pretty hectic or strange days. You lie at home and feel like shit, and then you see what they think. There are a lot of mixed emotions. “But I have to say that despite the circumstances, I still feel good,” he says.
– Even if you see others getting hurt, you still don’t believe it will happen to you. From a sporting perspective, this is a tragedy for me. But I had meetings with my mental and physical trainers and was able to collect my thoughts well. After all, I have been working with my head for many years.
If Filip Gravenfors could When he was at the start, he would have been a real hope for a medal for Sweden. Now instead he wants to take the opportunity to be there and see how an Olympics takes place around the competitions. All to prevent exactly this from becoming a shock to the French Alps in four years.
– So I know a little bit what to expect. Everyone always says that the Olympics are different than a World Cup competition. “Things like this can help me later,” he says.
– 2030 has always been the goal for a medal. The plan was always that I would win gold here, and I still have that plan. I’m here for my friends, for Sweden, but also for myself.
He looks up at the competition hill and notices that it looks very beautiful in the eyes of a mogul skier. Good snow and long landings after the jumps. A slope that offers space for great rides.
Unfortunately, Filip Gravenfors is not allowed to do anything himself.
– You can see it in a larger perspective. Even though I can’t compete and show what I’ve achieved with my technique and everything, I’ve actually made it here. I was kidnapped, he says.
– I’m still very proud of that and Jan can congratulate himself on that.
Even the girlfriend, mother, father and his little brother Noel are in Italy, just as they would have been if Filip had attended. 18-year-old Noel is also in a national team training group and takes part in the European Cup, where he recently achieved his first victory in the parallel hump. In a way, you can tell because he too is there to watch and learn ahead of the 2030 Olympics in France.
– When we both get there, we will experience our first Olympic Games together. That would be great. You have to try to make something positive out of it. I can still be here and be fine. “It’s very nice,” says Filip Gravenfors.
– I’m looking forward to these days and being able to cheer everyone on. I love this sport.
