Sara Junevik's big goal with the European Championship in Belgrad is to qualify for the Olympics on 100 metres butterfly. How did the Swede prepare for it? By taking the gold on 50 metres butterfly.
I'm so happy, she says to SVT.
Junevik won the final more or less convincingly with a time of 25.68, which is a personal best. Second was Roos Vanotterdijk, Belgium, who was four tenths behind the Swede. Greek Anna Ntountounaki took the bronze.
This is Junevik's first international championship medal in the long course. At home in the trophy cabinet, she has several medals in different colours, but all come from short course championships.
There's so much relief in my whole body now. That I got to go in and run a race and set a personal record, I'm so happy, says 24-year-old Junevik, who has long been seen as Sarah Sjöström's successor, to SVT.
It'll probably take a while for this to sink in. Patience is what I want to send to everyone back home who wants to succeed with something.
Junevik was the fastest in both the heat and the semi-final on 50 metres butterfly, which is not an Olympic distance.
The ascent was what I wanted to improve from the semi. 50 I can do in my sleep. When I go in and run the race as I usually do, then it sits.
The heat on 100 metres butterfly is on Thursday morning.
