After a tough qualifying round, the Swede was forced to take the route via repechage to run the semi-final on 400 meters hurdles at Stade de France.
Three races in as many days affected him to some extent — but above all, it was the first hurdle that created problems for the 24-year-old.
"Went hard"
I wanted it so much, went hard and got a bit too far from the first hurdle and then I had to start all over again, he says.
Then it drew more energy on the back straight.
The time eventually became 49.56 — and thus the Olympic Games ended for Bengtström.
Despite this, the hurdler says he is satisfied with reaching the semi-final and sets his sights on the next Summer Olympic Games in four years, in Los Angeles, USA.
I'm gathering routine year by year and hopefully I can be part of the fight for medals at the next Olympic Games, he says.
It's enough that I lower my "personal best" by a few tenths, then it's almost enough for a medal. So I'll keep working.
Carl Bengtström ran a Swedish record, 47.94, when he took European Championship bronze in Rome earlier this summer.
"Stiff"
The Olympic Games are also over for Erik Erlandsson. The 20-year-old came last in his semi-final on 200 meters with a time of 20.93.
It didn't go today. I was stiff during the warm-up and tried to block out the thoughts, but after 30-40 meters, I realized I was stiff and then the brain demons came back, he says.
Thoughts that revolved around last year's strains in the back of his thigh.
He avoided injuries in Paris.
And he leaves the Olympic Games with a positive feeling.
It was an Olympic semi-final that I maybe shouldn't be in, considering my age and last year. I enjoyed running against the world's fastest man (American Noah Lyles).
