She was unsure until the end.
But now comes the news.
Sarah Sjöström swims double individual distances in the Olympics.
For this year’s Olympics, Sarah Sjöström has opted out of potential medal chances, in order to only bet on the 50 meter freestyle. Sjöström has made the decision to extend her career somewhat, but also to keep her motivation up, but before the Olympics she suddenly opened up to a change.
Wonderful message
The schedule was also good for running the 100 meter freestyle, and Sjöström said that the possibility existed for her to add the distance during the Olympics, and thus run two individual distances, in addition to the team race. But it has been unclear until the end, and Sjöström has not wanted to give any definitive information.
But on Monday morning the wonderful news finally came: Sarah Sjöström will also compete in the 100 meter freestyle. The decision has been made considering that Sjöström can actually benefit in the prioritized distance 50 meters freestyle by also swimming the longer distance. It gives her fewer rest days, and hopefully a top form under 50 meters.
“Stick to the plan”
Confederation captain Martina Aronsson confirmed the decision for Max.
– She sticks to the plan. It’s good for her to have a race in the middle of the week. The focus is 50 meter freestyle – but 100 meters is a step on the way, she says.
Sarah Sjöström also swam that distance in the team races, and then achieved great results.
100 meter freestyle is not traditionally Sarah Sjöström’s parade event, but in June Sjöström scored 52.57 on the stretch, and then realized that she is only a few tenths away from having a medal chance during the Olympics. 50 meter freestyle, Sjöström’s prioritized distance during the Olympics, will be decided on Sunday. The 100m free kicks off with qualifying around lunchtime on Tuesday, followed by the final on Wednesday evening.
Sign up for our newsletter
Share