Photo: Bildbyrån
2024 has been a busy and eventful year for Sarah Sjöström.
After double Olympic gold and marriage, she is now slowing down.
– I don’t feel that I can really compete as much as I have done before, she says to SVT.
Already as a 14-year-old Sarah Sjostrom world famous when she won EC gold in the 100 meter butterfly. 17 years have passed since then and Sarah has turned 31 years old. Over the years, she has collected six Olympic medals, 36 World Cup medals, 54 European Championship medals and several world records.
Sarah Sjöström takes a competition break
This summer she impressively, and somewhat surprisingly, won two golds at the Olympics in Paris. Both in 100 meter and 50 meter freestyle. It was an incredible performance by Sarah, who would surely have interfered in the battle for the Bragdguldet if it weren’t for the fact that she has already won twice and thus cannot challenge for the award again.
READ MORE: Sarah Sjöström tries a new sport after the double Olympic gold in Paris – the unexpected decision after 15 years as an elite swimmer
Not only that Sarah was really busy in the pools during the Olympics. Only a month or so after the Olympic success, she married her love Johan de Jong Skieruswith whom she has been together for several years. They got married in Tuscany, Italy and had friends and family there. In recent months, she has also trained as a PT and worked a bit with marketing. Sarah has also decided to take a short break from her competition. She has decided to sit out the short track WC in December.
– It’s nice to be able to enjoy these Olympic golds and then drop into a competition when it feels good. Right now it’s a little too close to the Olympics. I have to get home a bit from the Olympics in Paris before it’s time to start planning for the next cycle, she tells SVT Sport.
Sjöström is aiming for the 2028 Olympics
However, her break will not be too long. She absolutely wants to compete this season – and the long-term goal is the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. She would like to win several Olympic medals.
– I don’t feel that I can really compete as much as I have done before. The last three years after Tokyo have been absolutely brutal. I have never competed as much as I have done these years. It’s been a lot of fun, but I feel like I really want to be at the Olympics in LA and do well there. To do that, I need to “pace” myself a bit and know which competitions I should take part in, she says.
READ MORE: Sarah Sjöström’s husband Johan has changed his appearance
Absolutely right to take some time for yourself, Sarah. You deserve it. Big congratulations on your Olympic gold and on your marriage. Take it easy now for a while and decide what you want to do. We’re rooting for you regardless!
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