The EM thrower about the struggle: "Fell down into a dark hole"

After a failed EM qualification in slalom, Grete Ahlberg broke down and talked about her athletic life marked by mental illness. It's so damn tough to keep going with elite sports, I don't even know if the joy is worth it, she says.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 09 2024

The EM thrower about the struggle: "Fell down into a dark hole"
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

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After a failed EM qualification in hammer throw, Grete Ahlberg broke down and talked about her athletic life marked by mental illness.

Tears ran down her cheeks as hammer thrower Grete Ahlberg met the media after the failed EM qualification. She failed to follow up on her successful year 2022, when she reached the finals in both EM and VM.

Open and naked, she talked about her struggle for her mental state and how sports, above all in 2022, had been her salvation, but now it's making her feel worse.

She felt her worst in winter when she barely got out of bed.

Although she thinks that sports are what's making her feel bad and several times during the interview says she may not be able to continue, she says in the next breath that she doesn't want to give up.

Grete Ahlberg believes that almost all elite athletes feel bad – get nervous, doubt.

Grete Ahlberg says she has been receiving help from a sports psychologist for seven years now.

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

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