Last year, he started the season in Valencia and set a Swedish record – with a half-minute margin.
An impressive season start that only got better and better.
During the first half of 2024, he set Swedish records on 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and half-marathon. Times that made Almgren hope for something big during the European Championship in Rome and the Olympic Games in Paris.
Missed the Olympic Games
Instead, it turned out the opposite.
In Italy, he missed the podium, and the Olympic Games were postponed due to injury.
Now the Swede has taken a new grip, trained a lot together with Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and aimed high for the competition in Valencia.
Andreas Almgren reached his goal.
I've had some good training sessions beforehand, so I knew I was in good shape. I'm just so happy, he says in the victory interview according to SVT.
With a time of 26.53, he improved his Swedish record and also set a European record – which also means he is the first European under 27 minutes on the mile.
Sprinted to victory
Andreas Almgren was always in the lead group, and with a kilometer left to the finish, the race was about three runners: Dominic Lobalu, Switzerland, Vincent Lagat, Kenya, and Almgren.
The Swede was third before the finish and then sprinted to victory.
I had more self-confidence this year. I wanted to be behind the leaders and do as little work as possible. I knew the final straight was long and that I couldn't go too early. I waited until the last 60 meters. I had the strongest legs today, he says according to SVT.
Andreas Almgren's big goal for the season is the World Championship in Tokyo in September.
