The national handball team has an extra task in the Swedish Olympic team:
As mood-boosters and joy-spreaders.
We contribute with a lot of laughter and energy, says Kristin Thorleifsdottir.
The women's handball team moved into the Olympic Village on Monday – the first of all in the Swedish Olympic team.
The day after, the men arrived.
Perfect, thinks team leader Peter Reinebo from the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK).
It's wonderful to have the national handball team in the Olympic team. They contribute with good team spirit, it's built-in, says Reinebo during a press conference with the women's national team.
In the background, some players are being interviewed. Others sit at a few tables and chat.
The laughter follows each other.
We have many sports that are here with only one or two active athletes. Then the dynamics become better if you have a gang like this in the room, says Reinebo.
Reinebo also emphasizes the importance for the team that there are teams that other individual athletes can follow and maybe, if it fits their own schedule, watch a match.
It becomes something to gather around.
Left-hander Kristin Thorleifsdottir:
We have very strong team spirit. We've had that as long as I've been involved. We hear and see each other.
The women's national team meets Norway in the Olympic premiere on Thursday. The men face Germany in the first match on Saturday.
