"It's fantastic to be able to share the experience"

They live together and train together. In Paris, canoeists Martin Nathell, 29, and Melina Andersson, 25, also made their Olympic Games debut at the same time. It's fantastic to be able to share the experience, says Nathell after finishing seventh in the K1 1000 meters.

» Published: August 10 2024

"It's fantastic to be able to share the experience"
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

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A half hour before Martin Nathell's final, Melina Andersson had finished twelfth on K1 500 meters.

The couple managed to meet briefly when Nathell was on his way to give interviews after his race.

We barely had time to say "well done". She's doing a hell of a job and puts in many hours – just like me. It's tough, but nice to have each other, says Nathell.

The couple has trained together before the Olympic Games.

All spring I've been sparring with Melina. We don't go at the same pace, but we've had times to compare with. It's fantastic to be able to share the experience.

In the World Championship last year, Martin Nathell came eighth on K1 1000 meters. In his Olympic debut, he improved on that with a placement.

If someone had told me that before the Olympic Games, I would have been extremely pleased with that placement. But the semifinal maybe was a better race.

I stuck to my plan. But it's always hard to try to turn the trend when you end up so far behind.

Nathell was nearly six seconds behind the bronze medal. The Czech Josef Dostal won Olympic gold.

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

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