The long-distance swimmer who swims for Jönköping has never won an individual medal at a senior championship, but has been close for several years.
Last year he was the third-best European in the 800-metre freestyle at the World Championships, but when the medals are handed out at the European Championships, he is not even in the final.
“Does not reflect the shape”
Victor Johansson's qualifying time of 7:50.60 – almost six seconds slower than his Swedish record – was just over a second short of a place in the final and only enough for 10th place.
I knew that Sven (Schwarz) would go for it because there are three Germans and only two go through to the final. Then I thought he had to be at least 7:40. I'm still four seconds behind him, so I thought it would be good, says Johansson.
But Schwarz did 7:46, so both the German's time and Johansson's own feeling played tricks on him.
I was completely fooled by it and it doesn't reflect the form I have. I swam faster before the high-altitude camp a few weeks ago. So I wonder where it went wrong, says Johansson, who will analyse the race with coach Niko Martikainen.
“Know that I am in shape”
However, Victor Johansson refuses to bury himself.
What's the best move now, to break down and be sad? No. I'm more curious about what was wrong. I got a good form report yesterday in the 200-metre freestyle (team race), so I know I'm in shape.
Victor Johansson has 1,500 metres and 400 metres freestyle left – in the latter event he finished fourth at the World Championships last year.
Things went better for Olivia Klint Ipsa, who made it to Tuesday night’s semi-final in the 100-metre breaststroke with the 11th-fastest time, 1:07.30.
