Emil Nykvist has chosen to decline a spot on the Swedish biathlon national team to instead pursue an independent path toward the Olympics. Here, he talks about his decision, a potential move, and his Olympic ambitions.

Emil Nykvist has been part of the Swedish biathlon national team for two years. Now, he has decided to turn down a spot in order to make his own push toward the Olympics.

“I’ve chosen to say no to a place on the national team because I want the opportunity to be more at home. I don’t want to live in an apartment in Östersund—I want to have my home and base where my family is. That was a big part of the decision,” he tells Langd.se.

But there were more factors involved.

“Of course, there are other things that played a role, too. There are some training aspects I want to try out, to see if I can find something that will help me develop further.”

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More Freedom in Training

Is there anything specific you want to focus more on?

“It’s about going back to longer sessions and more focus on intervals. I won’t be doing as many short A1 filler workouts. Instead, I’ll train either long or hard,” he says, and continues:

“And I want to run a lot of running races. That’s something I’ve always enjoyed, and I want to compete more during the summer.”

Is that something you’ve missed in recent years?

“It’s been very hard to fit in. They haven’t appreciated that I want to do running races and such. But I guess it doesn’t align with their training philosophy and overall plan. So, it’s nice to get a bit more freedom there.”

In this new approach, he will be his own coach and set up a training plan entirely tailored to suit Nykvist like a glove.

“I’ll make the training plan myself and adapt it entirely to fit me.”

Looking for a House

For now, the 28-year-old will be based in Sunne and Malung, but he and his partner Stina Nilsson are looking for a house in Torsby.

“We would like to find a small farm just outside the town center—that would be ideal. I like the conditions in Torsby: the ski tunnel, Tosseberg, and Hovfjället. And most of all, the climate. It actually feels like summer in the summer,” he says.

Olympic Ambitions

So now, Emil Nykvist will stand on his own in his pursuit of the Olympics. And he hopes the change will lead to faster skiing this coming winter.

“It will be a change. But I hope it means I’ll be skiing a bit faster this winter.”

Next season includes the Olympics in Italy, and he wants to be on the starting line.

“I hope to be one of those who earn a spot there. And not just to make it there—I want to compete at my highest level and deliver my best performances. The goal is to get to the Olympics and race well there.”

Not Closing the Door on Long-Distance Races

Nykvist is clear that the Olympic campaign is the top priority. But he’s not ruling out being on the start line of a long-distance race this winter.

“There will be openings, and there’s a chance I’ll do a long-distance race or two. I find it an interesting discipline, and above all, I’d like to do Vasaloppet at some point. No doors are closed, but priority number one will be getting to the Olympics and performing well there,” he concludes.

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