The reason is a lack of motivation.
"Although, to be completely honest, just the thought of it was a little scary at first. But the longer time went by, the more I realized that both my body and my brain needed rest," Sophie Hansson tells DN.
The plan is to be back as early as this fall.
"By taking half a step back, my hope is that I will come back hungrier and stronger than I have ever been," says the 27-year-old.
Hansson made her Olympic debut ten years ago. Her track record includes 13 medals at international championships, including an individual European Championship gold medal in the long course.
