Olympic Heroes in Table Tennis Back Home Again: "Unbelievable"

The Olympic Games heroes in table tennis have returned home and three floors of fans gathered to welcome them. I want to continue and take more medals for Sweden in different championships, says silver hero Truls Möregårdh to TT.

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Olympic Heroes in Table Tennis Back Home Again: "Unbelievable"
Photo: Magnus Lejhall/TT

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To the tunes of this year's Olympic Games song, the three players and the national team captain step forward. The audience waves enthusiastically with the Swedish flag and table tennis racket.

The already high jubilation becomes deafening when Truls Möregårdh is presented. Around his neck, he wears the double silver medals and the gold ribbon from the confetti cannon that was just fired.

Back in Eslöv, a grand reception awaits the 22-year-old.

I'm really looking forward to meeting all my friends and family. It's going to be emotional and there will be a lot of tears, but they'll only be tears of joy.

First, a little rest, then it's time again.

I've never played as well as I did during the Olympic Games. I'm super happy that I could do it, but I want to continue and take more medals for Sweden in different championships.

Daily Life Awaits

In the decisive set of the semifinal against Japan, Anton Källberg, 26, took Sweden to the final. Now, he receives the people's accolades with a silver medal around his neck.

It still feels unreal, I don't really understand what's happened. Seeing so many people feels even more unreal.

After a short vacation, daily life awaits back in German Düsseldorf.

It's going to be weird. You've been in a bubble and haven't had to think about doing laundry and cooking. But it'll also be nice to come home, to be able to take it easy and live a normal life.

Kristian Karlsson, 33, is the most experienced of the three players with many championships under his belt.

It's hard to put into words. Four Olympic Games and now finally getting to come home with a medal around my neck, it feels really nice and fun. Above all, to take it in a team that I know we all burn for and where we're really good.

Challenging China Again

When asked if they will participate in the next Olympic Games, all answer with a resounding yes – except for Jörgen Persson. The national team captain's contract expires after the Olympic Games.

We'll see, now I'll have a little vacation. There are many factors. I'll sit down now with plus and minus, there are a lot of plus right now, anyway.

Last time Sweden brought home a medal from the Olympic Games, 24 years ago, he himself was part of the team.

Now we're challenging China again, I think that's awesome, and so do the Chinese.

They think it's something special to meet Sweden, it's us who beat them last. It becomes something magical, and they think it's super cool that we're back on the big stage.

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

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