Karlström got covid – worried ahead of the Olympic Games race

One of Sweden's big gold hopes ahead of the Olympic Games. Well in Paris? I can't say how my form is today, says walker Perseus Karlström ahead of Thursday's 20 kilometers.

» Updated: August 25 2024

» Published: July 30 2024

Karlström got covid – worried ahead of the Olympic Games race
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Share this article

Despite not being in top form at the European Championship in Rome, the championship in Italy ended with gold on 20 kilometers.

A clear sign that Perseus Karlström was on the right track towards the season's big goal: Olympic Games gold in Paris.

Got covid

Then came the setbacks. And it all started with covid.

I competed in Rome with covid, I found out about it afterwards, he says during a press conference in the French capital.

After the European Championship, the 34-year-old took it easy to then continue with the previously laid plan, including high-altitude training in Spain.

The high altitude was tough. I had trouble recovering. It felt like I was driving with the handbrake on every day, he says.

When it finally started to get better, I got another virus.

The build-up therefore had to be adjusted. Some of his tough top-up sessions that he was going to do during his camps had to be scrapped, some had to be moved.

The time leading up to the Paris Olympic Games has therefore not looked like he wanted.

And it creates some worry ahead of the 20-kilometer race on Thursday.

I can't directly say how my form is today. It has gotten better every day over the past two weeks, but we have made big adjustments.

Hoping for a good day

At the same time, Karlström has a feeling that gold is still a possibility.

It's not optimal, but it has been many other times when it hasn't been optimal build-ups and I have still been able to perform at a high level.

So even if I can't perform at my best level, I hope to be able to perform at a high level. Then what it's enough for, we'll see.

What are you aiming for then?

My whole season has been built on me taking Olympic Games gold in Paris. Now? I don't know.

What I can say is that my body has felt better and better and better, and when I did my last tough session, last Monday, it wasn't bad but not fantastic either. It shows that it's there in the body.

Tags

Author

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

More news

Bayern's Uli Hoeness Criticizes Premier League's Billion-Spending Spree
1 MIN READ

Bayern's Uli Hoeness Criticizes Premier League's Billion-Spending Spree

Swedish Football Agents Investigated for Organized Crime Links
1 MIN READ

Swedish Football Agents Investigated for Organized Crime Links

How to Watch Tre Kronor's Olympic Ice Hockey Matches
1 MIN READ

How to Watch Tre Kronor's Olympic Ice Hockey Matches

Ugandan Running Stars Kiplimo and Cheptegei to Miss World Championship
1 MIN READ

Ugandan Running Stars Kiplimo and Cheptegei to Miss World Championship

Djokovic Advances to US Open Semifinal, Faces Alcaraz Next
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Advances to US Open Semifinal, Faces Alcaraz Next

Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinal After Vondrousova Withdrawal
1 MIN READ

Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinal After Vondrousova Withdrawal

Chris Froome's Crash: Wife Reveals Life-Threatening Heart Injury
1 MIN READ

Chris Froome's Crash: Wife Reveals Life-Threatening Heart Injury

Smederna Secure First Leg Win in Swedish Speedway Semifinals
1 MIN READ

Smederna Secure First Leg Win in Swedish Speedway Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz Advances to US Open Semifinals with Win Over Lehecka
2 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Advances to US Open Semifinals with Win Over Lehecka

Polish CEO Apologizes for Taking Signed Cap from Boy at US Open
1 MIN READ

Polish CEO Apologizes for Taking Signed Cap from Boy at US Open

Norwegian Athletes Face Challenges with Gender Testing for World Championship
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Athletes Face Challenges with Gender Testing for World Championship

Swedish Coach Marcus Tjärnberg Suspended for Six Matches After Chokehold Incident
1 MIN READ

Swedish Coach Marcus Tjärnberg Suspended for Six Matches After Chokehold Incident

Tobias Gulliksen Transfers from Djurgården to Rapid Wien
2 MIN READ

Tobias Gulliksen Transfers from Djurgården to Rapid Wien

Elias Ymer Skips Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia to Focus on Schedule
3 MIN READ

Elias Ymer Skips Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia to Focus on Schedule

ITTF Confirms Petra Sörling's Re-election Amid Election Dispute
1 MIN READ

ITTF Confirms Petra Sörling's Re-election Amid Election Dispute

Alexander Isak Thanks Newcastle After Transfer to Liverpool
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Thanks Newcastle After Transfer to Liverpool

Biathlon Official Anders Besseberg's Appeal Denied, Faces Prison Sentence
1 MIN READ

Biathlon Official Anders Besseberg's Appeal Denied, Faces Prison Sentence

Sven-Göran Eriksson's Manor Price Reduced Again
1 MIN READ

Sven-Göran Eriksson's Manor Price Reduced Again

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak's Summer Transfers Stir Debate
3 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak's Summer Transfers Stir Debate

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk
1 MIN READ

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk