Sjöström's Monster Performance – Close to World Record

New Olympic record – and just five hundredths over her own world record. Sarah Sjöström is in monster form ahead of the Olympic Games final on 50 meters freestyle. I'm extremely pleased. Nice to get such a swim in now in the evening, she says.

» Updated: September 18 2024

» Published: August 03 2024

Sjöström's Monster Performance – Close to World Record
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Share this article

The Super Swede is a huge favorite to win the Olympic gold on 50 meters freestyle – if so, her second bullseye in Paris after the upset win on double the distance on Wednesday.

And nothing has yet shaken her favorite role.

She swam under 24 seconds already in the trials on Saturday morning and in the evening it went even faster.

Her 23.66 is the third fastest in history on the distance and Sjöström has made the six fastest runs.

Set an Olympic record

It was also an Olympic record when she beat Australian Emma McKeon's Olympic gold time from Tokyo by 15 hundredths.

None of her competitors have yet gone under 24 seconds in the Olympic Games. Semifinalist Gretchen Walsh, USA, had 24.17 and was more than half a second behind super-Sarah.

Irritating not to quite reach the world record?

No, really not. When you're as old as I am, you don't think that way. You're grateful for every moment you get fast times. The most important thing for me is consistency, that I maintain a high level, she says.

"Would have been awesome"

On the other hand, she hasn't let go of the thought of a world record in the final on Sunday evening at 18.30.

It would be really awesome if I could go under the world record tomorrow, so far it's been getting better and better times for each race. I took the Olympic gold and set a world record in Rio, so it would have been awesome to do it again, she says.

Sjöström was behind in the beginning, as she usually is, but caught up and pulled away from her competitors in the end.

It's nothing that lets nervousness take over.

No, a little in the beginning maybe, but somewhere I can't do more than I do. After a while, the speed usually comes, she says.

Boyfriend Johan de Jong Skireus was not in the stands for the semifinal. He took a flight just in time for the final on 100 meters freestyle – Sjöström hadn't planned to swim that event – and has a ticket to Sunday's final.

He's doing something else, I think he's going to check out beach volleyball and fencing, says Sarah Sjöström.

The finalists on 50 meters freestyle with Saturday's semifinal times.

Sarah Sjöström, Sweden, 30 years old, 23.66.

Gretchen Walsh, USA, 21 years old, 24.17.

Katarzyna Wasick, Poland, 32 years old, 24.23.

Zhang Yufei, China, 26 years old, 24.24.

Shayna Jack, Australia, 25 years old, 24.29.

Meg Harris, Australia, 22 years old, 24.33.

Wu Qingfeng, China, 21 years old, 24.40.

Neza Klancar, Slovenia, 24 years old, 24.40.

Tags

Author

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

More news

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78
1 MIN READ

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match
2 MIN READ

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown
2 MIN READ

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia
1 MIN READ

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final
1 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk
1 MIN READ

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer
3 MIN READ

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final
1 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification
1 MIN READ

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club
1 MIN READ

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery
1 MIN READ

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football
1 MIN READ

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari
2 MIN READ

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain
2 MIN READ

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain