Huge trouble in Swedish cross-country skiing: After having to resign as team boss three weeks ago, Anders Byström is now vehemently defending himself against the anonymous criticism that is said to have cost him his position.
“I want respect, but instead I get stabbed in the back,” complained Byström in an interview with “Örnsköldsviks Allehanda,” which was quoted by Swedish television station “SVT.”
The experienced official was asked to resign after six years in office after he had been criticized all winter.
Because: While the women around superstar Frida Karlsson regularly showed top performances, there was hardly anything going on for the Swedish cross-country skiers in the 2025/2026 season.
Support from Frida Karlsson
Byström faced a lot of headwinds after returning from the Olympics with five gold, four silver and one bronze medals under his belt.
He and his coaches were anonymously accused of poor communication; according to “Expressen”, many athletes in the second row in particular felt neglected.
Byström did not want to let the serious accusations go uncommented. “I was disappointed that some runners talked badly about me behind my back. Of course they should express criticism and feedback, but the way they expressed this criticism was at a low level,” countered the ex-boss.
It feels “unfair if you don’t understand exactly what I did wrong in my role,” Byström added. His work was about “supporting all athletes and working with the teams.” This was “well done, and I think we worked like clockwork.”
Byström received support from Frida Karlsson after the allegations became known. “We are all human, everyone makes mistakes,” explained the reigning Olympic champion. There is “development potential” everywhere – not least in the area of communication.