It looked like it would be an Olympic Games final without Swedes. But with a masterful and flawless shooting during Saturday's second qualifying round, Stefan Nilsson managed to reach the shoot-off, where he shot full score again and secured a final spot.
But when two of the clay pigeons flew past Nilsson's salvo early in the final, the medals became too difficult to reach.
The final fifth place is his best in an Olympic Games, one position better than in Rio eight years ago.
I had said that I would come back with a medal, but now I didn't, so it was a bit of a shame, says Stefan Nilsson.
Wedding Plans
He can't be too disappointed, especially not with the shooting on the final day.
It's only the Olympic Games every four years, it's not that many who make it this far. To perform at this level in this competition and manage to reach the final and become fifth, it's clear that you will be proud of it.
At the shooting stadium in Châteauroux, both parents and fiancée were present to cheer on Nilsson towards a medal. The dream was to first fix an Olympic gold, then top it off with a wedding.
Double USA
But Stefan Nilsson simply has to turn over the planning, and aim to become an Olympic champion in Los Angeles 2028. It will then be his fifth Olympic Games.
Right now, I don't really have the energy to think about it, but it's clear that it's medals you want. Now I've been here several times and no medal. I'm eager to hang it around my neck, so it is.
On the podium, it was a double USA at the top, Vincent Hancock took gold, Conner Lynn Price silver. Behind them, bronze medalist Lee Meng Yuan ensured Taiwan's first medal in Paris.
The competition's second Swede, Marcus Svensson, finished 18th in the qualifying round.
