Swenn-Larsson made her debut in the Alpine World Cup back in 2010. Few have been around as long, few are met with the same respect as the slalom specialist from Rättvik.
No wonder she cried with happiness and received hugs from all sides.
Adrenaline was still coursing through her veins when she described the scare she experienced during the last training session on Tuesday.
Then she failed to finish three of four races. She and the combined event on the course didn't get along.
A night of reflections
I couldn't get it right. I thought a lot about the combination last night. Probably a hundred times. Of course I was nervous.
Then it was over, says Swenn-Larsson, who experienced a new marathon in the finish area.
Only when German Lena Dürr straddled the first gate was the long-awaited Olympic medal secured.
She turned away from the television cameras. Her body sobbed as the released tension found its way out through tears.
Worked extremely hard
This is my fourth and last Olympics, and to finally win this bronze medal means so much to me. I have worked extremely hard and patiently.
It means a lot. This is what I dedicate every day and every waking hour to.
The slalom specialist has an individual silver medal in the World Championships. Next year the World Championships will be held in Crans-Montana. Will Anna Swenn-Larsson be there?
I don't really know. I've decided that I'm going to race this season to the fullest. After the World Cup final I'll take it easy and make a decision.
Sara Hector, the silver medalist in the giant slalom, and Swenn-Larsson have been followed for most of their careers. They met in the Little World Cup back home in Sweden as youngsters.
"I'm very happy for Anna. It really warms my heart that she gets to take home a medal today," says teammate Sara Hector.
"I was very moved. When things go well for me, I'm just happy, but when things go well for others, I'm just moved," says Hector.
Swenn-Larsson when she hears what Hector said:
We competed in everything already 20 years ago, and still do today. I don't know anyone who has worked as hard as Sara. I have a lot of respect for her.
Favorite Mikaela Shiffrin, USA, won the gold medal - 1.50 seconds ahead of second-place Camille Rast, Switzerland. It is Shiffrin's first Olympic medal since the team silver in 2018.
Born: June 18, 1991.
Discipline: Slalom.
Main achievements: Olympic bronze in Cortina 2026, World Championship silver in Åre 2019.
World Cup victories: 2.
Top 10 positions: 16.
Olympic merits: Bronze in Cortina, 5th in Pyeongchang, 11th in Sochi, 9th in Beijing.
