Biathlete Contracted Blood Poisoning After Doping Control: 'This Should Not Happen'

The 32-year-old biathlete Jesper Nelin encountered severe misfortune earlier this year when he fell ill following a blood test. He reflected on the incident, noting, "I was there on a Wednesday, and by Saturday, it was evident something was wrong with my arm." His concerns were confirmed when his father, a doctor, recognized the blood vessels had turned black, indicating blood poisoning. Nelin emphasized, "This is unfortunate. It should not happen."

The incident has significantly impacted Nelin's preparation for the current sporting season. He admitted to feeling quite down following the occurrence, describing the start of the summer as particularly challenging. Despite these setbacks, he is focused on recovering and gearing up for the winter season's first test in Östersund next week. The World Cup is set to commence in Kontiolahti, Finland, on November 30, with the primary highlight being the World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, in February.