Swedish ski heroes accused of doping in new book: “You’re appalled”

A new book released on Friday about the late Finnish cross‑country skiing star Mika Myllylä has sparked controversy by alleging that Swedish ski heroes doped during the early 1990s.

According to Finnish newspaper Ilta‑Sanomat, the book claims Sweden was among the nations that used the hormone EPO at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. The allegation is attributed to investigations by former Finnish national team head coach Pekka Vähäsöyrinki.

Torgny Mogren, a Swedish Olympic champion and now Radiosporten expert who was part of the Swedish squad at the time, reacted to the report by saying, “Of course you become appalled.”

The report does not detail specific Swedish athletes beyond the era and context, but it revives long‑running debates about doping practices in elite cross‑country skiing during the EPO era. The piece highlights that the claims come from a newly published book on Myllylä, one of Finland’s most prominent—and controversial—skiers, whose career and legacy have been closely tied to the sport’s doping history.