Sweden's biathlon team eyes Olympic redemption in familiar Antholz
Sweden's biathlon team is preparing for the first Olympic races in Antholz this Sunday. After years without Olympic medals, the squad hopes to improve on past performances. The familiar Italian course and a trusted hotel are boosting their confidence ahead of competition.
The team arrived in Antholz with a mix of recent results. Hanna and Elvira Öberg have shown flashes of strength this season, but inconsistency remains an issue. On the men's side, Sebastian Samuelsson and Martin Ponsiluoma enter as Sweden's best medal hopes. However, Samuelsson's form has faltered, with a disappointing race in Nové Město just before the Games.
The Swedish squad feels more at ease this time. Unlike the challenges of Beijing four years ago, they now train on a course they know well. Their hotel stay adds to the sense of routine. Under coach Johannes Lukas, the team has spent the first session refining rifle skills, studying the track, and building confidence.
Lukas has emphasised steady preparation before Sunday's opening race. The French women's team, meanwhile, has been more reliable this season. Sweden's last Olympic biathlon medal came over two decades ago, with no podium finishes in the past four Winter Games.
The first biathlon event kicks off in Antholz on Sunday. Sweden's athletes will rely on familiarity with the course and their coach's structured approach. Their goal is to break a long medal drought in the sport.
