According to Eklöf, it was -28 degrees during some parts of the race that never got hotter than -20.
Several skiers, including Britta Johansson Norgren and Linn Sömskar, suffered severe cold injuries which they are still rehabing in a slow process.
The worst happened was Eklöf, living in Eskilstuna but from Ulricehamn.
His right big toe became completely black from the cold injury.
Now he tells for the first time in a TV interview about the horrific experience.
- I lost the feeling after a while but I was so in the competition that you do not think about it in the end.
It numb and stuck in the toes and fingers and there was a warning signal already there.
When you did not feel your toes, you would have thought about whether to continue, says Eklöf in a mobile connection to "Ask the doctor".
Hopeful it does not look infected
Ask the doctor-doctor Karin Granberg explains after studying the pictures that cold injuries of grade two, three and four have occurred.
- Weaving is shrinking and dying, unfortunately, Granberg says about the right big toe which is worst damaged with a four in the scale.
Granberg also sees positive signs in the healing process.
- It does not look infected, that is the most important thing, she states.
Eklöf is on sick leave until March 13 and has had a weekday in rehab.
"I have to be very careful"
- I feel completely okay today.
I do not have much pain but I have to be very careful according to the doctors so that you do not go on it and damage the cells that are already damaged and that you do not get cracks so that there is infection in it, says Eklöf.
The process is in a sensitive situation.
- They do not want to do anything as long as they do not see any deterioration or that nothing has happened for a while.
As long as they want the body to take care of the healing, Eklöf explains about the doctors' strategy.
You finished 59th in the race. Was it worth it?
- Then I probably thought so, but in retrospect it is probably not really right.
They did not know about the consequences when I lined up and that it would be this bad.
I did not feel that in the competition either.
Eklöf does not have thoughts of long distance running right now but is trying to understand the future and what it might look like.
The question is whether there will be any long runs?
"Will definitely not compete in minus 28 again"
- You should never say never but I will think for.
The question is whether it is even possible.
I do not know what the consequences will be for me in the future and how sensitive I will be.
There are many aspects to take in but I will definitely not compete in minus 27.28 degrees again.
What Eklöf longs for is an everyday life.
- I hope to come back and be able to walk on my feet and also go skiing and roller skiing but above all to have a weekday again so that I can play with my lovely son and spend time with my wife, or cohabitant rather, out, Eklöf smiles the error.
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Michael Eklöf risks getting rid of the toe and has constant pain.
Photo: Private