SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

New Olympic Gold for Sjöström: "Feels Unreal"

Sarah Sjöström took her second Olympic Games gold in four days in Paris. She was the heavy favorite on 50 meters freestyle and handled the pressure. It's incredible. I never thought I'd win two golds at my fifth Olympic Games. It feels unreal. Crazy, she says.

» Updated: 14 September 2024, 01:54

» Published: 04 August 2024

New Olympic Gold for Sjöström: "Feels Unreal"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

The margin of victory over silver medalist Meg Harris, Australia, was 26 hundredths. Zhang Yufei, China, took bronze. Sjöström was a strong favorite ahead of Sunday's final and many believed she would break her own world record (23.61) after setting an Olympic record (23.66) in Saturday's semifinal.

The clock stopped at 23.71.

A mistake in the ascent after the start meant she couldn't challenge her own world record.

My first stroke was really bad. But I knew beforehand that even if I make some mistakes, I have a really high level. I went in with confidence and believed I could do under 24 seconds, she says.

"This is my peak"

This is the 38th time she has done a time under 24 seconds – something that has made Sjöström completely superior on the distance where she has won four World Championship golds, three in a row.

Now she has also achieved full success in the Olympic Games.

Sjöström has previously talked about competing in a sixth Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.

You never know what happens, but I'll never be better than now. This is my peak. I'm so proud, she says and continues:

I'll keep swimming for several years, but I'll never beat this, she says about the full success with two golds in Paris.

Medal from Lindberg

Sarah Sjöström stepped up to the podium and received the gold medal from Swedish IOC member Gunilla Lindberg.

Sjöström now has a total of six Olympic medals, including three golds, and Sweden's greatest swimmer of all time is also the best "blue and yellow" Olympic swimmer in history.

The duo Gunnar Larsson and Håkan Malmrot have two Olympic golds each.

With this year's two golds, Sarah Sjöström also takes the step up to shared first place among Swedish female athletes with the most Olympic golds. She now shares first place with canoeist Agneta Andersson and cross-country skier Charlotte Kalla.

Sjöström's world record on 50 freestyle was set at the World Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, last summer.

Sarah Sjöström 3 gold – 2 silver – 1 bronze.

Gold: 100 meter butterfly 2016, 50 and 100 meter freestyle 2024, silver: 50 meter freestyle 2021, 200 meter freestyle 2016, bronze: 100 meter freestyle 2016.

Gunnar Larsson 2–0–0.

200 and 400 meter medley 1972.

Håkan Malmrot 2–0–0.

200 and 400 meter breaststroke 1920.

Arne Borg 1–2–1.

Gold: 1500 meter freestyle 1928, silver: 400 meter freestyle 1924, 1500 meter freestyle 1924, bronze: 400 meter freestyle 1928.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over
1 MIN READ

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing
1 MIN READ

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"
2 MIN READ

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson
2 MIN READ

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing
1 MIN READ

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing

Swedish Premier League defender operated
1 MIN READ

Swedish Premier League defender operated

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – forced to pay
2 MIN READ

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – forced to pay

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship
1 MIN READ

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"
1 MIN READ

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month
1 MIN READ

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"
2 MIN READ

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match
1 MIN READ

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show
4 MIN READ

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg
2 MIN READ

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg

Grant near the top in LPGA finale
1 MIN READ

Grant near the top in LPGA finale

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal
1 MIN READ

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"
2 MIN READ

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"
2 MIN READ

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City