Frida Karlsson after talked-about post: “I’ve felt boxed in”

Swedish cross-country skiing star Frida Karlsson has elaborated on a widely discussed social media post in which she asked, “Is it okay to be a little ‘Frida’ — fast and imperfect — sometimes?”

In the post, Karlsson reflected on how elite athletes can be molded more like machines than people, arguing there should be greater space for play, instinct and emotion in high-performance sport. Speaking to P4 Jämtland, she said she has at times felt boxed in by expectations and structures around elite competition and wants a healthier balance that nurtures both performance and joy.

The segment does not address a specific race or selection but centers on Karlsson’s personal perspective on elite sports culture and the pressures faced by top athletes.