The double Olympic gold medals in Paris – 50 and 100 meters freestyle – were naturally the highlights of 2024, but in February, Sarah Sjöström also took World Championship gold on 50 meters butterfly and 50 meters freestyle in Doha, Qatar.
When the female swimmer of the year in Europe was to be elected, the victory was overwhelming for Sjöström. Of the national swimming federations, Sjöström received over 86 percent of the votes, and when swimming enthusiasts got to say their piece, the 31-year-old received over 38 percent of the votes. Second place went to German Isabel Gose, who received just under 7 and over 13 percent of the votes in the two categories, writes the European Swimming Federation Len on its website.
It is the sixth time Sjöström takes home the prize – in the last seven years. The only time during that period when someone else received the prize was in 2022 when it went to Ruta Meilutyté from Lithuania.
On the men's side, France's Léon Marchand is being praised. The 22-year-old became Olympic champion on home soil in Paris last summer when he won four gold medals.
