Two Norwegian World Champions say the Swedes need to step it up. Anton Grahn smiles — and points to what happened in Canada and Italy. Now he’s chasing an Olympic start and hopes to do it again on the sport’s biggest stage.

“The Swedes need to go home and train,” was the verdict from Norwegian World Champions Mathias Holbæk and Thomas Linnebo Mollestad.

Grahn didn’t take it personally.

“I saw it, and I thought it was pretty funny,” Grahn told Langrenn.com. “But they probably should show a little respect after getting beaten (by me) — first in Canada and then in Italy last winter.”

And the 21-year-old Swede has the results to back it up. Grahn is the reigning U23 World Champion in sprint — and, right now, the only Swede consistently breaking through the Norwegian dominance. Holbæk and Mollestad both won distance gold at the same championships.

Grahn has been a problem for the Norwegians since he arrived on the scene at 18, storming to Junior World Championships gold in 2023 in a “Klæbo-style” sprint. Last winter, he repeated the feat at the U23 World Championships in Italy — his first year out of juniors and as the youngest athlete in the field.

Eyes on Olympic gold

Grahn is now in his second season at the senior level. Friday’s sprint in Granåsen marked his 10th World Cup start.

“It’s time to start delivering,” he said.

“And it’ll be cool racing here in Norway — especially with so many Norwegians on the start line.”

Also Read: Klæbo powers to sprint win in Trondheim – Myhlback on the podium

His goal is clear: Olympic gold — ideally in Val di Fiemme in two months.

“I’m dreaming of an Olympic medal, preferably gold.”

First, he has to make the team, but Grahn believes his chances are good.

“I started the season well in Gällivare, winning the opener,” he said. “But the first step is reaching a World Cup final and locking down my Olympic spot. I think the Olympic course suits me really well, and classic sprint is my strength.”

As he sees it, the door is still wide open.

“Only William Poromaa and Edvin Anger have secured Olympic places so far — and William isn’t planning to race the sprint — so there are three spots that are completely open right now,” Grahn said.

“It would mean a lot”

What would it mean to head into the Christmas break with an Olympic ticket in your pocket?

“It would mean a lot,” Grahn said. “That’s what I’m aiming for — so I don’t have to peak every single weekend just to stay on the World Cup. Then you get more peace of mind, you can train better, and you can do a proper peak for the Olympics.”

He says the Olympic focus has already shaped his preparation — especially earlier in the year.

“Absolutely. Especially in the spring and summer,” he said. “It was sprint training with an Olympic focus every day — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday — and maybe a little rest on Sunday.”

Is the Olympics the first thing on his mind every morning?

“No,” Grahn said. “But I probably think about it a bit more than what’s healthy.”

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