Linn Gestblom’s path to Olympic relay silver is like no other.
– To be honest, this was impossible in November. It was impossible, repeats Sweden’s head coach Johannes Lukas.
The biathlete formerly known as Persson completes himself:
– It’s a little unbelievable. I’m walking around here and I’m a little surprised.
The 31-year-old was involved On the 2018 Olympic silver team and the 2022 Olympic gold team. In 2023 she won two individual world championship medals. She then underwent surgery on both her groin and a shoulder, the latter twice. When she finally returned last fall, she had problems with her other shoulder.
Nevertheless, after a 22-month absence, she made a strong World Cup comeback in the mixed relay in Östersund.
– This relay came out of nowhere, but then we felt “that there is a high capacity in a relay (at the Olympic Games),” says Johannes Lukas.
He decided to compete Gestblom sparingly added training and rehab to the plan, and now his mentee stands in Antholz, Italy, with Olympic silver around his neck.
Already at the presentation in Livigno in January there were clear signs that something was afoot.
– I wrote to the coaches who were in Nove Mesto (at the World Championships with other skaters) that “it’s a miracle that’s happening here, I think she’s getting fit and her shoulder feels good.” And from there to here it flowed so damn well, says Lukas.
– She deserves all the races. She competed in more races here than she did all year.
Linn Gestblom needed a total of two additional shots on the first leg of the Olympic relay, but sent Anna Magnusson into the lead. She was then allowed to watch the sisters Elvira and Hanna Öberg recover the silver.
– I came here with the feeling: “We’ll see if something happens,” says Gestblom.
– I am very glad that it was possible to come back.
Read more:
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Linn Gestblom in the relay team: “I didn’t expect to run anything at all”
