The horrific school shooting at Risbergska school in Örebro, Sweden, sent shockwaves through the community, particularly impacting nearby organizations like Karlslunds IF, a sports club located just a few hundred meters from the scene. Karlslunds IF also operates Karlslundsskolan, an independent primary school in the same area, which was forced to shelter students and staff for several hours during the unfolding tragedy. Recognizing the profound impact of the event, the club prioritized providing support to both students and staff, acknowledging the collective trauma experienced. Club and school director Andreas Levi emphasized the importance of mutual support and understanding in navigating the aftermath of the violence.
Following the immediate lockdown, Karlslunds IF suspended all activities for the day. However, demonstrating a commitment to community resilience, the club reopened its doors the following evening, offering a safe space for members and their families. Planned training sessions proceeded for those who felt ready, while counselors, coaches, and representatives from the Church of Sweden were present to provide emotional and psychological support. Levi stressed the absence of any ongoing threat, highlighting the police recommendation to resume normal activities. He underscored the vital social role of sports, particularly in preventing future tragedies, and encouraged community members to gather, connect, and find solace in shared activities.
Other local organizations also grappled with the delicate balance between maintaining normalcy and acknowledging the emotional impact of the shooting. Gymnastikföreningen Örebro, a gymnastics club with scheduled activities in a sports hall adjacent to Risbergska school, faced the decision of whether to proceed with their programs. Marcus Lagerberg, the club’s operations manager, confirmed that practices at other locations would continue as planned, while the status of sessions near the affected school remained contingent upon safety assessments. Lagerberg echoed Levi’s sentiment about the importance of routine, particularly for children, while acknowledging the sensitivity required in navigating the proximity to the traumatic event. He expressed hope that activities could resume at the Risbergska location, allowing the club to serve as a pillar of support for its young members.
Gymnastikföreningen Örebro, boasting a membership of 3,000 athletes and 400 coaches, recognized the need to equip its staff with the tools to effectively support their young charges. Acknowledging the varying levels of awareness and understanding amongst different age groups, Lagerberg emphasized the importance of tailoring their approach. While younger children might be less cognizant of the event’s gravity, teenagers were undoubtedly more profoundly impacted. The club sought guidance from both municipal authorities and BRIS, a children’s rights organization, to ensure appropriate and sensitive interactions with the youth in their care.
Amidst the widespread grief and disruption, some organizations chose to proceed with scheduled events, imbuing them with added significance. Örebro Syrianska, a division 1 soccer club, decided to play their scheduled practice match against Degerfors, a team from the top-tier Allsvenskan league. This decision, according to club chairman Abraham Oktay, stemmed from a refusal to allow acts of violence to dictate their actions. The match served as a symbolic act of defiance, with a moment of silence and players wearing black armbands to honor the victims. In contrast, the local sports gala, a celebratory event scheduled for Thursday, was postponed as a mark of respect for the community’s collective mourning. Anders Nilsson, editor-in-chief of Nerikes Allehanda, the newspaper organizing the gala, deemed it inappropriate to proceed with the festivities in the wake of such a tragedy.
The somber atmosphere permeated the city, with local sports clubs expressing their condolences and solidarity. Örebro SK, a Superettan league soccer club, shared an image of Örebro Castle on social media, accompanied by a message expressing their sorrow and support for the victims and their families. Similarly, Örebro Hockey, an SHL ice hockey club, posted an image of the castle adorned with a heart emoji, a simple yet poignant gesture of shared grief. These expressions of solidarity from prominent local organizations underscored the unifying power of sport in times of crisis, providing a platform for shared mourning and a glimmer of hope for healing. The community, bound together by shared tragedy, found solace in the collective recognition of loss and the commitment to rebuilding in the wake of unimaginable violence.
