Jens Burman is an important skier for the Swedish cross-country team in the Olympics.
But the season has been ruined by a back injury.
In the Swedish premiere in Gällivare, Burman had to break the competition and was then allowed to stand over the Tour de Ski.
- I had problems in Gällivare and at first I thought it was a bit of muscle pain because I did not recognize the symptoms.
But it has turned out that I have a small herniated disc that has disturbed this season.
It has gone a bit up and down but I hope it will go in the right direction now, he says.
The injury has meant that he has not been able to stand very much on skis, but has been allowed to train in alternative ways.
- It was a period when I could not go at all because I was so bad.
Now I can still ski fast, so it's very nice, he says.
"Not a good charge"
Jens Burman got his Olympic ticket already in the spring of 2021, and is now trying to get it right with the form even though he has barely had any competitions to go to.
- It has not been a good charge.
It went very well during the summer and autumn.
And then it starts to crash again towards the winter ... Of course it's not something I wanted, but you still have to think that you have been very strong and have a good foundation.
If you get some hard workouts and the body starts to respond, it should be able to go well, he says.
In the basic plan, it was thought that Burman would compete in the World Cup the weekend of 14-16 January.
But the competitions in French Les Rousses were canceled due to covid-19.
- Now it looks like it is difficult to find competitions before the Olympics.
Otherwise it will probably be a training competition you have to aim for, says Burman.
The Beijing Winter Olympics begin on February 4.