Anders Södergren reaped great success during his career as a cross-country skier.
- I was really nervous before.
Two such big favorites and it all depends on a competition, it felt like they had everything to lose.
So it was almost more relief and of course a joy after that, says Anders Södergren.
The Swedish sprint ladies have been in outstanding shape.
Jonna Sundling is the reigning world champion (and now also Olympic champion).
Maja Dahlqvist has dominated the World Cup.
At the same time, there are a number of skilled sprinter shoes behind that do well.
Tributes to Ribom
Emma Ribom, 24, made her Olympic debut and made it to the final where she was the youngest in the starting field.
In the final, she was not enough all the way.
But when she finished - 11 seconds behind Sundling - she went straight ahead and celebrated with her Swedish teammates in a big group hug.
- It's such a joy.
Emma also did a fantastic race, of course, but they were happy with each other.
You train so much with each other and live together for about half the year when you are away for training and competition.
It often becomes very familiar, says Södergren.
Same in Vancouver 2010
Södergren himself is not unfamiliar with Swedish team efforts at the Olympics.
In Vancouver 2010, he participated in the bed for Hellner's gold and Olsson's bronze in the skiathlon, where the Swedish men teamed up tactically to promote each other during the race.
Södergren himself finished tenth.
- I was super happy for their (Hellner and Olsson) sake.
When we had still made a set team collaboration and we succeeded, it was a win for me, I had had a lot of problems that season and went into the Olympics with poor self-confidence.
I got a kick out of it loosening the race that I could be in control.
Even though I did not manage to win a medal myself, it was a certain victory for me.
Piteå Elits, Sundling and Ribom's club, coach Tommy Abrahamsson, certifies that the Swedish skiers mean a lot to each other.
- They are great teammates this gang.
It's touching to see how one appreciates each other's successes.
Emma has an enormous ability to see others and strengthen other individuals.
At the same time, she has an enormously strong competitive instinct to win herself, but that she can treat others and rejoice with others is a fantastic side she has, says Abrahamsson to SVT.
CLIP: Here Sweden takes double medals in sprint
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Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist.
Photo: TT / Bildbyrån