Prior to the Olympic Games in Paris, David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig were world eighth - but fairly unknown in Sweden.
After the Olympic gold, they also became truly popular.
Many were captivated by their ability to turn a stumbling start to the Olympic tournament, with losses in the second and third group stage matches, into brilliant play in the playoff matches.
This also affected the Victoria Prize jury:
"David and Jonatan's journey to the Olympic gold was like something out of a movie - with hope, despair and finally a fabulous success. As Victoria Prize winners, Åhman and Hellvig now join a celebrated group of Swedish sports legends and do so very deservedly", says Stephan Rimér, responsible for the Victoria Days, in a press release.
David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig, who recently won the World Tour event in Ostrava, are humble:
"Winning the Olympic Games was our biggest dream and to receive the Victoria Prize, as a recognition for all the hard work we put in, feels incredibly big", says David Åhman.
"It has been a crazy journey, and we hope that this can inspire more young people to dare to go all in on their dream", adds Jonatan Hellvig.
The award ceremony will take place in Borgholm on Öland on July 14 in connection with Crown Princess Victoria's birthday.
The policy for the Victoria Prize is that an athlete can only win the prize once. Therefore, for example, pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who was recently named the world's best male athlete 2024, was not relevant despite Olympic gold and world record in Paris.
He received the Victoria Prize in 2020.
2025: David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig, beach volleyball
2024: Isabelle Haak, volleyball
2023: Erik Karlsson
2022: Ebba Årsjö, alpine skiing
2021: Nils van der Poel, speed skating
2020: Armand Duplantis, pole vault
2019: Hanna Öberg, biathlon
2018: Stina Nilsson, cross-country skiing
2017: Jenny Rissveds, mountain biking
2016: Henrik Lundqvist, ice hockey.
