The Swedish national biathlon national team is peppered with numerous stars. Head coach Johannes Lukas is consequently faced with a luxury problem – especially with a view to Olympia 2026. A special measure could help with the nomination process.
The 2025/26 biathlon season culminates in the Olympic Winter Games in Italy next February. The Swedish national team wants to lay the foundation for the big highlight in the training camp in France from Sunday.
Eight stars are then at the start for women. However, only four can take part in the same race at Olympics 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. A luxury problem is waiting for biathlon coach Johannes Lukas.
“It is an absolutely hard competition, I am very happy about that. It will be a big challenge to put together the right squad. We have again managed to form a very strong team and develop new athletes,” the 32-year-old said in an interview with the Swedish broadcaster “SVT”.
Special measure in biathlon home game?
The upcoming biathlon season begins in Östersund at the end of November. Lukas is open to rotate when playing home. Six starting places are available in the World Cup.
“We can imagine that some will complete the first section, stop others and get in later. Then we can see seven or eight athletes in the first World Cup week,” the Munich native outlined the idea behind it. Such a procedure is rather unusual.
Halvarsson: Good mood in the biathlon team
The aim is to get to the 2026 Winter Olympics, said ski hunter Ella Halvarsson at “SVT”.
The Swedish national biathlon national team had fun and push each other “in a good way”, the 25-year-old described the mood in the team.