King Carl cheers up Sweden’s disappointed skiers after Olympic silver

Sweden’s cross-country skiing stars were left in high spirits after a video call with King Carl XVI Gustaf, following their silver medal in the Olympic relay.

Ebba Andersson, Frida Karlsson, Linn Svahn and Jonna Sundling had been visibly downcast after narrowly missing out on gold, Caliber.Az reports per Swedish media.

Few things can lift the mood of elite athletes after such disappointment – but the Swedish monarch managed it with humour and praise.

Earlier in the week, the king had witnessed Andersson and Karlsson’s performance in the ten-kilometre freestyle. The pair had tried to persuade him to stay in Val di Fiemme for the relay, but a pre-planned schedule called him onwards to Milan.

In the video call, King Carl XVI Gustaf had the athletes laughing with candid remarks that might have been considered daring from anyone else.

“I understand that you’re disappointed about missing this gold. I was rather disappointed myself, to be honest,” he said, breaking the ice.

The moment that particularly drew laughter was when the king referenced Andersson’s dramatic fall, which cost the team a chance at gold.

“You all gave it your all. And Ebba, fantastic! What a tumble,” he said.

Andersson covered her face as the team chorused: “Ten points, right?”

“I’ve never seen a skier fly through the air like that. It was remarkable,” the king added.

After praising their determination and urging them to hold their heads high, the athletes continued to chuckle at the repeated line:

“And Ebba, what a tumble!” Svahn echoed.

The video call offered a light-hearted moment amid the disappointment, reminding the Swedish team that courage and resilience are celebrated just as much as medals.

By Aghakazim Guliyev