Lucas: I’m not worried – it won’t happen to us
The national team failed to keep three of its top stars in the team.
Biathletes have joined in the drama but are confident that the same won’t happen in their national team.
– Of course I followed the circle, says Elvira Öberg.
– I’m not at all worried that this will happen to us. I play balls and talk to active players,” says national team coach Johannes Lucas.
First Lynn Svan and at the beginning of the summer the bomb went off so that Frida Carlson and Maja Dalqvist chose to leave the national team cross-country after they disagreed with the union. Ana Maria Ocetalo, sports director of the national biathlon team, was surprised by the new dropout:
– I was a little surprised that there were three left. That there are so many who do not want to be part of the national team, there is certainly a reason for all of them.
Both Sebastian Samuelson And Elvira Öberg also responded to the news that the tall stars are leaving:
– You will obviously be surprised, you want the national team model to be the best, says Samuelson.
– Of course I followed the circle that was. I think it’s a shame that Maja and Frida want to be part of the national team in principle, but at the same time I understand the national team too. If everyone comes up with their own approach to right and left, it’s hard to keep them together. It’s a complex issue, and I’m very grateful that we’re doing a good job and I’m very satisfied with our agreement, says Elvira Oberg.
“Nothing to go to that I worry about”
The national biathlon team has not had a drop out, and neither the leaders nor the skiers Sportbladet spoke to are nervous about the possibility.
– I’m certainly not worried about that. On the federal side, we have a completely different approach. I play balls and talk to active people about training plans, training venues and how they feel,” says national team coach Johannes Lucas.
And Anna Maria Ositalo does not think that something similar can happen in the national biathlon team.
– It’s not something I go into that I’m nervous about, we have a good dialogue with the actors.
Why do you think you should not drop out?
– We had a clear idea that it had to be a good project in Östersund, so we make everyone want to be here as a starting point and be part of the community, says Ositalo and coach Johannes Lucas agree:
– You have to get away from the fact that the coach knows everything and active people should only follow, this is not a melody. If an active person says, I want to go to Mallorca and train, it’s no problem if they have an independent week. Lucas says it’s important that they feel free but stay part of a team and then come back to Östersund and then move on together again.
Samuelsson: I didn’t think of the idea
Sebastian Samuelsson and Elvira Oberg are two of the biggest stars of biathlon in Sweden, but neither of them thought of creating their own project.
– I am very happy with the activities of the national team and I am very happy to be part of the team. Sebastian Samuelson says I haven’t considered the idea of making my own investment.
We have incredibly good people in all positions, Johannes Lucas as coach, Jean-Marc as my shooting coach and Marcus as strength training. I couldn’t have done better and am happy to agree with the guild. I can’t see anyone would choose something else, says Oberg.