Johan Olsson (skier)


Johan Arne Olsson is a Swedish cross-country skiing coach and former skier. He is a two-time [Winter Winter Olympic Games|Olympic Games|Olympic] champion who raced from 1998 to 2017. Olsson won five individual FIS Cross-Country World Cup victories and two additional podium finishes during his career.

Athletic career

Olsson became an Olympian in 2006 when he was selected to represent Sweden in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. He earned a bronze medal in the 4 × 10 km relay and finished 6th in the 15 km event. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Olsson earned a bronze medal in the 30 km pursuit after leading most of the race, and together with the Swedish team he won the gold medal on the 4 × 10 km relay after a deciding performance on the 2nd stage. During the same Olympic Games Olsson won another bronze medal in the 50 km event.
In the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2013 in Val di Fiemme, Olsson won the prestigious 50 km classical race. He pulled ahead of the pack after 20 km and never let go of his lead. It was an impressive solo performance to win Sweden's first gold medal on the 50 km in a big competition in over 20 years. Olsson also won silver on the 15 km freestyle, finishing 9 seconds behind Petter Northug.
At the 2014 Winter Olympics Olsson won a silver medal at the 15 km classical.
Olsson retired from skiing before the 2015–2016 season, but announced a comeback in April 2016 for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti. Olsson retired from professional skiing in April 2017.
On 12 April 2017, his second retirement from cross-country skiing was announced.

Coaching career

In May 2018, it was announced that Olsson would become a coach for Team Sweden men's cross-country skiing, for the 2018–2019 season, together with Mattias Nilsson and Fredrik Uusitalo.

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games

  • 6 medals –
Year Age 15 km
individual
30 km
skiathlon
50 km
mass start
Sprint 4 × 10 km
relay
Team
sprint
20062562325Bronze
20102911BronzeBronzeGold
201433Silver9Gold

World Championships

  • 8 medals –
Year Age 15 km
individual
30 km
skiathlon
50 km
mass start
Sprint 4 × 10 km
relay
Team
sprint
2005244621197
200726720
2009288166
201130171616Silver
201332SilverGoldSilver
201534GoldBronzeSilver
201736926Bronze

World Cup

Individual podiums

  • 5 victories –
  • 7 podiums –
No.SeasonDateLocationRaceLevelPlace
12008–0913 December 2008

Team podiums

  • 1 victory –
  • 9 podiums –
No.SeasonDateLocationRaceLevelPlaceTeammates
12003–0414 December 2003

Personal life

Olsson married his former teammate Anna Olsson in 2008. Together they have two daughters, named Molly and Signe.