The proposal was that Sarah Sjöström should have a swimming hall named after her.
But now it can be stopped.
– We will review it, says Nicole Forslund from Haninge municipality.
Sarah Sjöström showed this summer why she is one of swimming’s all-time greats. She hadn’t even intended to compete in the 100 meter freestyle, but just days before she signed up on the start list, and until the very end it was uncertain whether she would participate in the trials. But it would turn out to be a decision that was worth its weight in gold.
Powerful tribute
Sarah Sjöström won Olympic gold in the distance and just days later she won the third Olympic gold of her career when she also won in the 50 meter freestyle. Sarah Sjöström had her big breakthrough already as a 14-year-old and has since dominated championship after championship, and this summer’s display proved once again that she is one of Sweden’s most meritorious athletes of all time.
And of course the municipality of Haninge, where Sarah grew up, wanted to pay tribute to its Olympic hero. The municipal politicians in Haninge proposed that a new swimming hall should be named “Sjöströmshallen”.
– Sarah Sjöström is one of Sweden’s most successful athletes of all time. She has a background in having swum at Torvalla. By calling the new swimming hall Sjöströmshallen, we would not only honor Sarah Sjöström and Södertörn’s swimming club, but hopefully also inspire more people, especially children and young people, to want to swim, said Nicole Forslund (L), municipal councilor and chairman of sports, culture – and the recreation board in Haninge, in an official statement.
Can now be stopped
A condition for the exchange to go through, however, was that Sjöström himself would be interested, and in an email to Mitt I, Sjöström says that it would be an honor.
“Above all, it’s fun that investment is being made in a new swimming hall in Haninge and it would be an honor if they somehow want to use my name. Hopefully it can increase interest in children and young people to start swimming,” she says.
But now, unexpectedly, the proposal can be stopped. According to Mitt I, the municipality’s governing document states that buildings and other places in the municipality may not be named after people who are still alive.
– When we have had contact with Sarah Sjöström herself and her team, we will of course review it, says Nicole Forslund (L) to the local newspaper.
However, Forslund keeps the door open to possibly changing the governing document.
– We will see if there is a need to change them or not. I cannot answer that at the moment. As I said, the first step is to hear what Sarah Sjöström thinks about this proposal, says Forslund.
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