Prominent biathlete out for months. © AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

The biathlon winter loses an Olympic champion

The first biathlon races took place last weekend, and now the World Cup is really picking up speed. However, one Olympic champion will only be able to watch on TV.

02 December 2024

From: det

Sweden’s women’s relay team made a statement at the World Cup opening and took the victory in Kontiolahti (Finland). However, it was not only this sporting achievement that caused a stir, but also an emotional gesture after the race.

When the Swedes, Hanna and Elvira Öberg, posed for the winner's photo, they held up a jersey with the inscription "Gestblom" to the camera. It was the jersey of Linn Gestblom, who is better known to many fans as Linn Persson. She will not be competing in a race this season.

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Olympic champion Gestblom has had an eventful time. First she married her long-time boyfriend Christian in the summer (and thus changed her name from Persson to Gestblom), then she had to announce with a heavy heart: "I cannot compete in a biathlon race this season."

The darned shoulder

The reason for this is a long-term shoulder injury. Gestblom underwent an operation in February 2024, but the 30-year-old has not yet recovered from the injury and will have to miss this season. Of course, it is not the end of her career, as the Swede will now do everything she can to be ready for the 2026 Olympic season.

Linn Gestblom wants to attack again at the Olympics. © AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

The biathlete has fond memories of the Olympics. In 2022, she won the gold medal with the Swedish women's relay in Beijing, and four years earlier she won silver in Pyeongchang. Gestblom also won various medals at the World Championships, including silver in the individual competition in 2023. The Swede also landed on the podium several times in the World Cup. This year, Linn Gestblom has to watch with a heavy heart.