Cross-Country Skiing: Linn Svahn – 'It Was Better That the Doctors Made the Decision Than I Did'

Swedish cross-country skier Linn Svahn crashed during training yesterday morning and hit the back of her head. At first she felt quite okay, but as nausea set in, her condition deteriorated, and she subsequently had to withdraw from the World Championships in Trondheim.

Her trainer, Ola Ravald, explained that although the fall wasn’t very difficult, the blow to the back of her head led to a concussion with serious consequences. “It is better that the doctors made this decision than that I had to make it myself,” Svahn said through her trainer to SVT Sport.

After crashing on the final descent toward the finish, she initially felt positive about competing and even thought things might improve a couple of hours later. However, as the day progressed into the afternoon and evening, her condition worsened. Realizing that something was seriously off, she ultimately decided to withdraw and returned home to Östersund early this morning.

Svahn is thankful that the doctors stepped in to make the call, as the alternative would have involved her making the decision herself. Had it been possible, she would have stayed on to support her team. Instead, due to the concussion, she was required to be isolated in a dark room, a measure that underscored the severity of her condition.

This incident underscores the risks inherent in high-level competitive cross-country skiing and the critical importance of medical intervention when an athlete’s health is at stake.