SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

"Unbelievably amazing"

She had taken six medals in the 100 meter freestyle at the Olympic Games and World Championship – but never a gold. Now the bullseye came. In a situation where Sjöström didn't even think of participating. It's completely incredible, after the relay I didn't want to swim the 100 meter freestyle, says Sjöström.

» Updated: August 04 2024

» Published: July 31 2024

"Unbelievably amazing"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

The coach Antonio Lutula's persuasion ended with a historic Olympic Games gold.

Sarah Sjöström's second full hit in Olympic contexts is also Sweden's first Olympic Games gold on sprint distances in freestyle.

On Sunday, she can pick up another one on 50 meters freestyle, where she is a big gold favorite.

I'm super proud that I did this, she says.

It took a few seconds before I saw that I had won. I felt that I had done a really good race, says Sjöström, who won with a time of 52.16, her third fastest race ever on the distance.

Second-place Torri Huske, USA, was 13 hundredths behind, and Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong, was 17 hundredths after.

Favorite Mollie O'Callaghan, Australia, missed a medal and was fourth, 18 hundredths behind super-Sarah.

"I've felt it inside"

Sjöström has previously taken four silvers and a bronze in World Championship contexts. In the Olympic Games, it was a bronze in 2016.

Had you given up the thought of ever winning that gold on 100 meters freestyle?

I'm going to be honest and say that I talked to my coach in February and have somehow felt inside that I would win 100 freestyle. But I couldn't say where I would do it, she says.

It happened at the Olympic Games in Paris.

And she did it as an outsider.

"I was about to faint"

In contrast to the Olympic Games gold on 100 meters butterfly in Rio and when she goes in on 50 meters freestyle later in the week.

In Rio, it was a relief. I was so nervous and had a hard time enjoying it beforehand. I was about to faint because I felt the pressure there. Now it was just focus on what I myself would do, she says.

When she stepped out of the pool after the gold race, she couldn't hold back tears.

You get so overwhelmed by everything, she says.

On the podium, she looked happy, happy, but also collected.

It's important not to faint completely, think about that I'm a little older now. I also have 50 meters freestyle, so when I get away from all the stimuli, I just try to breathe, she says.

Now she's looking forward to 50 meters freestyle.

I'm going in on 50 meters freestyle with a different mindset, where I'm the favorite. But I have the best left, I love 50 freestyle.

So the Olympic Games celebration will have to wait.

I'll try to wind down, take a break, it sounds really boring, but it will have to wait. I have a lot of celebrating to do in the fall, says Sjöström, who will then marry her long-time fiancé Johan de Jong Skierus.

Born: August 17, 1993 (30 years old).

Club: Södertörn.

Coach: Antonio Lutula.

Olympic Games merits: Gold on 100 meters freestyle in Paris 2024, gold on 100 meters butterfly in Rio 2016, silver on 200 meters freestyle 2016 and on 50 meters freestyle 2021 in Tokyo, bronze on 100 meters freestyle 2016.

World Championship merits (long course): 14 gold, 8 silver, 3 bronze. Has 4 World Championship gold on 50 meters freestyle, including 3 in a row: 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

European Championship merits (long course): 17 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze.

Total medals: Has 96 medals in total in long and short course between 2008 and 2024.

2024 (Paris): Sarah Sjöström, gold on 100 meters freestyle.

2021 (Tokyo): Sjöström, silver on 50 meters freestyle.

2016 (Rio de Janeiro): Sjöström, gold on 100 meters butterfly, silver on 200 meters freestyle, bronze on 100 meters freestyle.

2000 (Sydney): Lars Frölander, gold on 100 meters freestyle, Therese Alshammar, silver on 50 and 100 meters freestyle, women's team bronze on 4x100 meters freestyle.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Guide: Everything before the SM Quarterfinals

Guide: Everything before the SM Quarterfinals

Back from cancer – close to a dream comeback

Back from cancer – close to a dream comeback

Hidden Hero Saved Djurgården – Oskarshamn Turned

Hidden Hero Saved Djurgården – Oskarshamn Turned

Injured Bolin departs – Holm called up

Injured Bolin departs – Holm called up

Arsenal Fared Poorly - Fell Heavily in Madrid

Arsenal Fared Poorly - Fell Heavily in Madrid

Djokovic's accusation: "Like a cartel"

Djokovic's accusation: "Like a cartel"

Test with hybrid grass at the national arena

Test with hybrid grass at the national arena

The Swedish Goalkeeping Icon is Thanked

The Swedish Goalkeeping Icon is Thanked

The National Team Doctor on Svahn: "Taking it very well"

The National Team Doctor on Svahn: "Taking it very well"

NHL Stars Return – Playing in Stockholm

NHL Stars Return – Playing in Stockholm

The players got a day off – "Many are worn out at this time of year"

The players got a day off – "Many are worn out at this time of year"

Johaug's turnaround – continues her career

Johaug's turnaround – continues her career

Swedish Medal Hope Misses World Championship

Swedish Medal Hope Misses World Championship

"I'll just play like I did at Tottenham"

"I'll just play like I did at Tottenham"

Got the club on the larynx: "Can breathe well"

Got the club on the larynx: "Can breathe well"

Messi injured – to miss crucial matches in the World Championship qualifiers

Messi injured – to miss crucial matches in the World Championship qualifiers

Champion Ill - Misses Competitions

Champion Ill - Misses Competitions

Landeskog trains with the team: "Making progress"

Landeskog trains with the team: "Making progress"

Rubensson's tough year: "Will always be a sorrow"

Rubensson's tough year: "Will always be a sorrow"

Nylander dominated in Toronto's rout

Nylander dominated in Toronto's rout

Anger in AIK after loss: "So damn irritated"

Anger in AIK after loss: "So damn irritated"

Växjö Shut Out Örebro – Larsson Sank Old Team

Växjö Shut Out Örebro – Larsson Sank Old Team

Rosengård best in town – on to the semifinals

Rosengård best in town – on to the semifinals

Elanga on Tomasson: "A fantastic person"

Elanga on Tomasson: "A fantastic person"

Former NHL defender dies in accident

Former NHL defender dies in accident

Premier League Striker: "Close to Death"

Premier League Striker: "Close to Death"

Malmgren to miss European Championship - talent replaces

Malmgren to miss European Championship - talent replaces

Criticism of new rule: "Will cause trouble"

Criticism of new rule: "Will cause trouble"

The Best Striker in the Premier League

The Best Striker in the Premier League

After the scandals – boxing gets a new Olympic chance

After the scandals – boxing gets a new Olympic chance

Sent 200 offensive texts to Frida Karlsson

Sent 200 offensive texts to Frida Karlsson

17-year-old's super time – challenges Bolt

17-year-old's super time – challenges Bolt

The Stars' Fraud: Hairspray and Glue

The Stars' Fraud: Hairspray and Glue

Injured Gyökeres misses the gathering: "Had problems"

Injured Gyökeres misses the gathering: "Had problems"

The season is over for Svahn - a setback for Sundling

The season is over for Svahn - a setback for Sundling

"Became "Chinese" last week – plays World Championship qualifying"

"Became "Chinese" last week – plays World Championship qualifying"

Star back in Colorado – had to pay the bill

Star back in Colorado – had to pay the bill

Got Criticism – but Three Seasons Were Enough for Gold

Got Criticism – but Three Seasons Were Enough for Gold

Disaster for Rune in the final: "That's life"

Disaster for Rune in the final: "That's life"

Talent injured in United's rout

Talent injured in United's rout