Olympic gold medallist Gärderud says he finds it difficult to grasp the magnitude of the achievement in New York.
He does the impossible time and time again.
I think there are very few sporting moments that have been more captivating, says Gärderud, who won Olympic gold in the 3,000-metre steeplechase in 1976.
“Incredible feat”
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) also pays tribute to Almgren, who won the classic race in 2:06:01.
“Big congratulations, Andreas - what an incredible feat for you and for Sweden. You are a source of inspiration for all of us everyday runners back home in the pouring rain,” the prime minister writes on Instagram.
“So unimaginably great! It’s total running magic,” writes Sports Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD) on X.
Dagens Nyheter columnist Johan Esk draws parallels with former Swedish ice hockey goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who played for the NHL’s New York Rangers.
“For many years, ice hockey goalie Henrik Lundqvist was called the ‘King of New York’. After Almgren’s marathon victory, Sweden has a new heir in the world’s coolest city,” Esk writes.
In September, Almgren won gold in the World Championship half marathon, and in August he won European Championship gold in the 10,000 metres in dominant fashion.
“After the European Championship victory, Almgren noticed the impact of his success. When he returns home to Stockholm and sets out for new training sessions, the king will run on his Eriksgata,” Johan Esk writes.
In a fight with an entire continent
Aftonbladet columnist Mats Wennerholm believes Almgren is now Sweden’s fifth-best athlete of all time. His list is topped by Armand Duplantis (pole vault), ahead of Carolina Klüft (heptathlon), Daniel Ståhl (discus) and Patrik Sjöberg (high jump).
“Of the 100 fastest marathon runners of all time, a good two were born outside Africa. And no runner born in Europe has won any of the major marathons since Italian Stefano Baldini won Olympic gold in Athens in 2004. Now Almgren has taken on an entire continent and more running talent than anyone else,” Wennerholm writes.
What do you think?