Stars react to Frida Karlsson’s post: “The joy must not disappear”

Swedish cross-country skiing star Frida Karlsson published a social media post reflecting on how elite athletes are increasingly shaped like machines rather than humans. She argued that there needs to be more room for playfulness and feeling in top-level sport.

Her national team colleagues Ebba Andersson and William Poromaa echoed Karlsson’s thoughts. Andersson emphasized that the sport “started with joy and desire — that must not disappear along the way.” Poromaa also aligned himself with the call for a healthier balance between performance and enjoyment in elite training and competition.

The discussion, reported by Radiosporten, underscores a growing focus within cross-country skiing on athlete well‑being, intrinsic motivation, and the risks of over‑mechanizing preparation at the expense of joy and creativity.