Linn Persson and her Christian celebrated a romantic biathlon wedding.

Biathlon Olympic champion in love changes her name

There's a spark in the biathlon circus: An Olympic champion recently celebrated her picturesque wedding and will compete under a new name in the future.

July 15, 2024

From: det

"He said yes": With this amusing post, Swedish biathlete Linn Persson announced her engagement to her long-time boyfriend Christian Gestblom in February 2020. What's special about it: It wasn't the man who asked for the woman's hand in marriage, but the other way around - at least that's what can be seen in the Instagram picture from back then.

Now the wedding has taken place. Two weeks ago, the Swede married her fiancé in the presence of numerous teammates, including the Öberg sisters. And it didn't take long for Persson to notice a major change. She took her husband's surname and will compete in the Biathlon World Cup as Linn Gestblom.

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Linn Gestblom (@ljmpersson)

"I had butterflies in my stomach. It was different from a biathlon competition because I had never done anything like it before," Linn Gestblom enthuses N.W.T. about the wedding. Inspired by the wedding, the 30-year-old biathlete now wants to attack again in the new season.

Linn Persson (right) in the relay race with Hanna Öberg. © ANSA / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

Last winter did not go quite as planned, as Gestblom had to struggle with injuries again and again. Nevertheless, she won the silver medal with the relay team at the World Championships in Nove Mesto. The Swede also won Olympic gold with the relay team in 2022. Gestblom's greatest individual achievement was in Oberhof in 2023, when she was crowned vice world champion in the individual event.