They are two of Sweden’s biggest athletes.
But Daniel Ståhl and Sarah Sjöström have also become close friends.
– We have boosted each other up, says Ståhl to Expressen.
When the Olympics are decided in Paris starting next week, there are plenty of Swedish medal candidates. Two are Sarah Sjöström and Daniel Ståhl, who, despite being involved in completely different sports, have found a close friendship through sports.
The unexpected friendship
When part of the Swedish Olympic squad was at a joint training camp in South Africa in January, Ståhl and Sjöström hung out a lot, and it wasn’t the first time. It was before the Olympics in Tokyo, when corona restrictions were ravaging, that Ståhl and Sjöström first met. And they found a community through yatzy and card games.
And the friendship has since lasted.
– We played yatzy and card games alongside training so we got to know each other and then we went to the Olympic village together. They boosted each other up on the road, says Daniel Ståhl to Expressen.
The girl to Ståhl
They both also do their best to keep up with the other’s competitions. Or how about it actually? When Sarah Sjöström is asked the question, she comes up with an unexpected quip, which according to the evening newspaper completely upsets Ståhl.
– I follow Daniel a lot, but maybe you don’t check me out?, says Sjöström.
But Ståhl quickly states that he certainly follows Sarah as much as he can, even though Sjöström’s finals are often over in less than half a minute. When Sjöström follows Ståhl, a final can take several hours.
– The stress is over faster for you when you check on us, but we have to suffer and follow you – “God, how will it go”, says Sjöström.
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