Cross-country skier Moa Lundgren is set for a spell on the sidelines after incorrectly having her appendix removed.
Former world Under-23 champion Lundgren went to hospital after suffering from stomach pains and subsequently underwent appendicitis surgery upon the advice of doctors.
However, it was later found that she was suffering a lymph node in the abdominal cavity - which shows similar symptoms - but would have healed on its own.
"I came home from Mallorca last week and I was fine. Then it happened over the weekend: I had a high fever and severe pain in my stomach, going all the way to the appendix," the Swede said.
“When I got to the hospital, they thought I had to have my appendix removed. I understand why they operated. There were several doctors who thought it was appendicitis.
“It's the surgery itself that has prevented me from skiing. That's a problem.
"I'm very shocked that it happened at all. I felt very helpless when I found out that I shouldn't have had the surgery. Training had gone very well over the summer, but now this problem has come along."
The setback means the 24-year-old will miss the start of the World Cup season, although she does hope to return to action in December.
"My coach showed me that it's going to be a long season, so there's still a way to achieve my goals," she added.
