The veteran has run three Olympics and taken one gold in each.

This season has been turbulent for the 33-year-old who has suffered from coronary heart disease, back problems and gastritis and it took until mid-April before Kalla announced that she will continue over the next season.

On Tuesday, she was missing when the Swedish Olympic Committee, SOK, presented the first selected Swedes for the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

- It would have been a great security to be pre-selected in that it provides both a calm mental and better preparation physically, to be able to plan everything.

Now it's about performing at the beginning of the season to show that I am worthy of an Olympic place, says Charlotte Kalla.

The next selection is in December.

"Tough competition"

When asked if she is worried about not being selected, Kalla answers:

- There are many good girls, but if I get to train as I have planned and want and develop during the summer and autumn, I will go fast even before Christmas and then be able to show that I should have one of the places.

Is there any feeling that you will not be selected?

- It's an unwritten sheet.

We have tough competition in the team, but it can also inspire to do as good a training job as possible and I feel really excited to be as ready as possible when the Olympics start.

Several names are missing

Among the names that were missing in the first Olympic squad were skiers like Maja Dahlqvist and Calle Halfvarsson.

Call:

- There are a huge number who have achieved high places in the World Cup and in championships, it is not only those you mention but there could be many more who could be selected.

We have to fight for places.

Were you surprised that you were not in the first Olympic squad?

- Both.

There are many who are in the same situation as me who have results but who are still not selected yet.

The most important thing is that I am prepared to do the job that awaits in the future.

I feel very happy that the motivation feels high.

You do not take an Olympic place for granted?

- No absolutely not.

But that's where I'm aiming.

CLIP: Frida Karlsson: "It's Norwegian we hunt" (4 May 2021)

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Frida Karlsson: "It's Norwegian we hunt" Photo: TT