Expressen in Sweden has shared the story of Wilma Olausson, the former Swedish cyclist, who has not raced since the UAE Tour on 11th February 2025. At just 23 years old, Olausson has spoken about her struggles with the demands of professional cycling and disordered eating, which ultimately led to her decision to leave the sport.
Olausson recalled how her career began with a silver medal at the 2017 Youth Olympics, an achievement that took her by surprise. “It came as a bit of a shock that it went so well. It felt like I was on top of the world,” she said.
Her rise through the ranks saw her turn professional at just 18, signing with a Dutch team and moving abroad. She described the adjustment as overwhelming, with every detail of her training and diet strictly monitored. “All of a sudden, they were measuring fat percentages and telling me exactly what to eat,” she explained.
The weight of expectations
Olausson shared how the sport’s focus on “watts per kilo” led to unhealthy habits. “It’s easier to lose weight than to get stronger,” she explained. At her lowest point, she was training for up to 30 hours a week while eating “almost nothing.” She described moments during races when she felt faint. “When it was really bad, I would black out while cycling because I had so little energy,” she admitted.
Despite the warning signs, she said it was hard to acknowledge the problem. “There was a lot of shame. If someone asked me, I’d say I didn’t have any issues,” she said.
Her final race at the 2024 UAE Tour marked the turning point. After returning home, her family was shocked by her condition. With encouragement from her boyfriend and a psychologist, she sought medical help. “I went to the emergency room, and after that, I was hospitalised,” she said.
Her stay in the hospital lasted months, during which she was tube-fed and began recovery at an eating disorder clinic. “When I realised that I didn’t want to live like this, things started to move quickly,” she explained.
Moving forward
Olausson has since shifted her focus to education, planning to study engineering. While she acknowledged that leaving cycling has been emotional, she said, “It felt like a relief.” Doctors have advised her against returning to the sport, saying it could worsen her condition. “I don’t get better at cycling with an eating disorder, and the eating disorder gets worse when I cycle,” she explained.
Swedish national road coach Lucas Persson told Expressen that while cycling can be tough, the federation strives to support athletes. “We want a sustainable sport where athletes feel comfortable asking for help,” he said.
Olausson’s story is part of a broader conversation about the challenges faced by women in cycling, following similar accounts from riders like Julia Borgström and Jenny Rissveds.
