Two Olympic bronze medalists arrived home in Sweden on Tuesday and were celebrated at a shopping center in Stockholm:
Tara Babulfath, 18, who has made her breakthrough after the success on the judo mat in Paris. And Jenny Rissveds, 30, who took bronze in mountain biking.
Eight years ago, Jenny Rissveds made her major breakthrough in connection with the Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. The gold changed her mental health, and not for the better. Now Tara Babulfath is facing a similar life challenge and Jenny Rissveds has advice to give:
Tara seems to be a lovely girl with both feet on the ground, who appears to be standing steadily. But I think it's important to listen to yourself, to what you yourself feel and think in these contexts. To listen to your gut feeling and go with it. I think she'll do great. I hope so.
"Trying to land"
When Babulfath hears the advice from Jenny Rissveds, she responds with a smile:
I really agree with her about that. She's also experienced.
How will you manage to capture your breakthrough and your new athletic life?
We'll see. I don't know. It's the first time, answers Babulfath and continues:
I'll try to land in the situation. Right now it's mostly like a fog.
The 18-year-old judoka says she would have preferred to stay in Paris for the rest of the Olympic Games.
But I'm going back to the closing ceremony. I'm looking forward to that.
Hoping for sponsors
Babulfath's breakthrough in Paris also means that she becomes more interesting to sponsors. But Keith Karlsson, who has been a manager for several Swedish sports profiles, believes that the 18-year-old should prioritize her well-being:
Maybe the most important thing right now is not to make money, but for her to feel good and think long-term. The money will come when it comes. She should take it slow and surround herself with the right people, who together with her set goals based on her interests and what she wants to do. There, her parents are her backbone, he says.
Tara Babulfath says she hopes for increased sponsor support.
It would mean a lot to me. To get sponsors who help and support.
Who is your biggest support in the sponsorship work?
It's always the family, answers Babulfath and says that she also has two years left in high school. That's also important.
