– Why redo a winning concept? asks Sjöström as the day in honor called to a press conference for her own competition in Eriksdalsbadet the week after the Olympics in Paris where she will challenge the short course world records in 50 meter butterfly and freestyle.
The EC will be decided June 17-23 and the competition in Rome, Sette Colli, June 21-23.
Sjöström has four Olympic medals and around 90 medals in various World Cups and European Championships. There is a certain saturation and it is necessary to sift through the championships. The decision to stand over the EC was already made in February.
– It had felt redundant with an EC. I feel that I enjoy this competition, Sjöström explains to SVT Sport.
Louise Hansson gives up the chance to defend her European Championship gold
– We have made the decision in consultation with the coaches in Sweden. We Olympic-ready girls choose Cette Colli, which has a schedule of three days instead of one week, says Louise Hansson.
The plan was to compete at the EC but but changed because there is so much more around a championship that takes energy, which is not optimal so soon before the Olympics a month later.
– The European Championship was tempting, but considering the Olympics, which is the main goal, it was an obvious decision, says Hansson, who is giving up the chance to defend the European Championship gold in the 100 meter butterfly from Rome in 2022.
– It was a tough decision, admits Hansson.