After weeks of unexplained pain, the Olympic star is in the hospital and facing surgery, uncertain when she will return.

Karoline Knotten is back with the Norwegian national team after a season of private training, but she is absent from the ongoing training camp with the team. 

The 31-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the Olympics this winter, is currently hospitalized and has no idea when she can return to training. 

Also Read: Knotten breaks silence on national team return

Weeks with a burst appendix

Knotten shared on social media that she started feeling unwell during the World Cup finals in Holmenkollen in March. She underwent several examinations, but no one could determine the cause of her discomfort. 

“There have been uncertain and painful periods. But there were also times when I felt fine and could enjoy skiing in the mountains,” Knotten writes.

However, it turned out that the biathlon star had developed appendicitis, and her appendix had burst. It will now need to be removed, but the procedure is more complicated than usual. 

“Because it has been undetected for a longer period, removing it will be somewhat more complicated,” Knotten explains.

Read More: Norwegian biathlon teams for season 2026/2027

“Scary”

The 31-year-old from Lillehammer was admitted on Wednesday and has been there since. She is now home for the weekend but will return to the hospital on Monday. 

The surgery is scheduled for a couple of weeks from now, but Knotten is unsure when she can resume regular training.

“I went from being relieved that they found something wrong, as it’s exhausting to walk around wondering, to feeling a bit sad and stressed that it’s taking much longer,” she tells TV 2.

“I am not sure when I will be back to full training, but I’m staying positive and trying to see the opportunities,” Knotten says.

She is also honest about feeling uncertain.

“This is different and therefore a bit scary. But I’m ready for the challenge and will do what I can to take further steps towards the new season.”

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