After the Verdict: "Extremely Tough"

In December, the athlete was convicted of minor drug offenses. Then Oskar Edlund had a tough road to the Paris Olympic Games. It has been extremely tough, he says after the attempts at 400 meters hurdles.

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After the Verdict: "Extremely Tough"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

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The 21-year-old was caught with cocaine in his blood during a night out in Stockholm.

In late July, he talked to Expressen about the verdict:

It was a party night when the season was over. I was offered to try cocaine, which I stupidly did, he says.

"Tough"

After the Olympic Games attempts at Stade de France, he told more about the time that has passed.

It has been extremely tough. I wanted to focus 100 percent on the Olympic Games, but it became tough when you read about yourself in the media, he says.

I've already explained what happened. I'm ashamed as hell for what I did, and I'll have to keep doing it with all the publications.

What reactions have you received?

Only support. And I'm extremely grateful for it, all the push and support I've received, I wouldn't have been able to do it without the backing of friends and family. That's what I'm grateful for.

Would you have talked about it earlier?

Absolutely, but it's easy to say in hindsight.

Oskar Edlund's 49.74 wasn't enough to advance on the 400 meters hurdles.

Instead, he'll have to run the qualifying round on Tuesday.

A new detail in Paris that gives some athletes an extra chance to advance.

I don't think it's a great idea. You saw on the 100 meters hurdles that a guy took advantage of it to get an extra day's rest. It's unfair, but then I'm happy to get a chance myself, he says.

"Other headlines"

But "jogging" to save energy and strength was never an option for Edlund.

No, I think it's unsportsmanlike.

Then it would have been other headlines. I'm tired of bad headlines and I'm trying to do as well as I can so they can write about that instead.

Even Carl Bengtström will have to aim for the qualifying round.

It's not my normal level, it wasn't that great, says the 24-year-old after 49.34.

It's just a matter of reloading and trying to run better.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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