Biathlon Olympic champion won't compete this season - Taking a gap year

Currently pregnant with her first-born, biathlon star Hanna Öberg has announced that she'll be taking a gap year from competing. Öberg told her Instagram followers that she's feeling well, and that her goal is to still return to the world's elite.

It was only in July that Öberg told the world that she's expecting a child with her other half who's also a Swedish biathlon star, Martin Ponsiluoma. On Monday the Swede took to the social media platform to share her thoughts on the upcoming season.

- This season has definitely been a little different, but I'm feeling well and enjoying life. The focus on my training has shifted slightly. I'm working out mostly to feel good, not to achieve peak performance, Öberg wrote.

The two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion is describing this phase as a certain type of gap year, where she gets to enjoy other aspects of life. She also confirmed that she won't be competing at all this season.

The Swedish star hasn't given up on her career, as she means to continue in the 2027-2028 season to achieve yet more biathlon dreams.

- Don't expect to see me competing this seson, but my goal of returning to the top level burns brightly.

This of course means that Öberg will not be competing at the Biathlon World Championships in Otepää.

Source: Instagram