Michelle Coleman already thought when Sarah Sjöström finished sixth in the semi-finals that it would be Swedish gold.
But not for the reason many people think.
– I knew it, she tells DN.
Sarah Sjöström decided late to compete in the 100 meter freestyle, a distance that is far from her favourite. But it would turn out to be a choice worth its weight in gold. Sjöström already impressed in the trial heats, where she had the fastest time of all.
The unexpected detail of the gold rush
Once in the semi-finals, it was not as convincing, as Sjöström had the sixth best time, which was enough for a final. But the fact that she just finished sixth was unexpectedly good news, at least according to national team swimmer and close friend Michelle Coleman.
At the Olympics, the swimmer with the sixth fastest time in the semi-finals gets to swim lane seven. The four fastest times from the semi-finals get courses three, four, five and six – but there is something special about course seven, says Coleman.
– She had lane seven, and I knew that here in Paris many medals have been taken from lane seven, says Michelle Coleman to DN, and continues:
– I have no idea why that track has been so successful during the Olympics, but it seems to be a very good track.
“It’s her thing”
Sarah Sjöström looked like missing out on a medal for a long time in the raucous final. But she had an almost unparalleled finish to the race, and Coleman herself was not surprised by how Sjöström handled the gold race.
– The last 15 (meters) are her thing. I know what she can do there, she says.
Michelle Coleman and Sarah Sjöström often compete at the same distances, but in addition to swimming, they have become best friends over the years, and they support each other in both ups and downs. Yesterday, Coleman was almost in shock.
– She has won silver after silver, and that makes it extra cool that she succeeded. I think everyone saw how shocked she was after the finish, and I myself was completely speechless after the race, says Coleman.
Michelle Coleman was also in the 100 meter freestyle, but went out in the semi-finals. Both she and Sjöström compete again on Saturday, when there are trials and semifinals in the 50 meter freestyle, before a possible final on Sunday.
Sign up for our newsletter
Share