The question of how much energy the body needs to perform is of utmost importance for an elite athlete.

Many biathletes also begin their commitment to the top in their early teens. 

- High school students do not always have the best control of food and diet, even if it differs quite a lot between different individuals.

Some do not have much experience of cooking, for example, says special sports teacher Kari Korpela at RIG Sollefteå. 

How do you work with these types of issues?   

- It is included in our syllabi for special sports which is a subject in school.

It is about dietary knowledge and nutrition, where we go through energy shortages quite carefully, both in theory and through practical elements such as cooking. 

And what happens if you notice that someone is eating too little?   

- We have a student health that has a pretty good view of that part.

It may take some time before we catch it, but when we do, we act through the school nurse and doctor.

We can also get help from RF, says Kari Korpela. 

Elvira Öberg on the step up in the national team: "Huge difference"

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Elvira Öberg: "Huge difference to be in the national team" Photo: SVT

But he also notes that elite sports education can not maintain the same level as the national team.   

- It is clear that Elvira in the national team receives much more individual help, where a dietician can go in very carefully and measure the food, for example.

We do not have the opportunity to do that. 

"They should go to math lessons too"

He is supported by Leif Andersson, special sports teacher at RIG Torsby.   

- The biggest difference between the national sports high school and the national team is that we work in a school environment.

We have had students who think the business should be more elite-adapted and focused, that they should be able to train more and receive support in all areas in a professional way.

But in the school environment there are other parts to take into account.

For example, they should go to math lessons as well.    

How much support the school can give students in subjects such as diet and energy intake, will therefore be a question of resources, says Leif Andersson.

Receives grants from the Swedish Sports Confederation

RF distributes a state grant per student to the principals, usually the municipality where the school is located, who conduct RIG activities.

It is about teacher salaries in the subject of special sports or other resource support in physiology, nutrition, psychology and medicine.

In the field of sports medicine, there is also support for students via a health app and an offer of elite sports insurance.   

- But the contribution is quite small sums in the context.

Everything costs money.

We could do more than we can do today, but there is still a lot that falls back on the principal, says Leif Andersson.