Eugene. She shared a room with her virus-afflicted coach Christian Mundt and lost all of her belongings on the way to the World Cup.
But the biggest threat to Carolina Wikström for the start of the World Cup was actually an unknown Croquet injury.
Christian says he was very frustrated with me.
Carolina Wikström was one of the biggest pluses for the Swedish athletics team at the Olympics. She exceeded all expectations and became 22nd in her debut.
But before the World Cup, the current doctor faced a number of problems. On the way to camp in Berkeley, all her belongings, including competition gear, were gone, and as if that weren’t enough, the coach – whom she shared a room with – got Christian Mundt Covid-19.
‘feelings of panic’
– When we did the covid test, none of us thought it would be positive. He was probably a little blocked in his nose, that was at that level.
– It was unexpected and there was a little panic there at first, she says.
But the more unknown thing is that during this entire period she also suffered from a real Swedish summer injury. Notorious croquet toe.
– Yes, that’s right, she laughs.
Tell me what happened?
I played croquet with the family a week before I went here and when I was going to hit someone else’s croquet ball, I hit the little toe instead of the ball.
Christian was very disappointed in me and it hurt me a little. I kept training but I was afraid it was broken but now it’s working fine.
“It hurts a lot”
The worst was the trip with an already swollen toe.
– Yes, it was very painful, when we went down it was much worse and we were afraid he was going in the wrong direction but that swelling went down.
Now that you’re here, after all, what are your hopes for a start?
– I will enter with an open mind, tournaments are difficult. I know I have a high minimum but I’m not entirely sure what my level is. I feel mentally stronger than I was during the Olympics, and I’ve probably been on the defensive a bit, so now I’m ready to invest more,” she says.