Exploring Maja Dahlqvist's Journey Through Health Challenges in Cross-country Skiing

Maja Dahlqvist, a leading figure in cross-country skiing, recently opened up about her health struggles during the past season, which left her feeling perplexed. Despite entering the competitive winter circuit with a robust preseason, her performance didn't mirror her efforts, prompting her to reflect deeply on her athletic abilities.

At the beginning of last World Cup season, Dahlqvist, the reigning sprint champion, sensed that something was amiss when she finished poorly in Ruka. She described the sensation of competing as if she were constrained, sharing, "It feels like I'm using tape on my nose and mouth and trying to max out for three minutes."

As winter progressed, Dahlqvist continued to battle her mysterious challenges, even after experiencing what she called her best summer of training. She explained, "It was a really special season for me. I had the best training summer ever and was stronger in all tests, but that strength disappeared in the races. It was a little mystery - I still don't know the main reason for it. I had a very high heart rate for nothing, yet I wasn't generally tired."

Despite undergoing various tests that provided no clear solutions, Dahlqvist managed to achieve remarkable success, securing three podium finishes in the World Cup and finishing fourth overall in the sprint cup—a remarkable accomplishment considering the difficulties she faced. After the final competition, she took some time off to recuperate. Recently, she noted a significant improvement, as her training regimen is gradually restoring her health.

Fact Box: Maja Dahlqvist
Born: April 15, 1994
Club: Falun-Borlänge SK
Residence: Trondheim
Major Achievements: Two World Championship golds in team sprint (2019, 2021), two Olympic silver medals in sprint and team sprint (2022), one Olympic bronze in relay (2022), two World Championship bronzes in sprint and relay (2023), overall sprint cup champion in World Cup twice (2021–2022 and 2022–2023).