The trio was by no means unknown in Sweden before the Olympic Games in Paris. But before the broad masses, the successes still meant a breakthrough on a completely new level.
Something they notice clearly.
The time after the Olympic Games – where table tennis player Möregårdh took two silvers and beach volleyball duo Åhman/Hellvig won gold – has been characterized by accolades from several quarters and numerous interviews.
It's really noticeable that it has had a greater impact than anything we've done before. It's super cool, says Åhman.
The radar pair Åhman/Hellvig had two European Championship golds and a World Championship silver on their merit list previously. The Olympic gold medal is, of course, the highest.
It's a bit hard to realize how big it has become. It's super cool that so many have watched beach volleyball and our matches, says Hellvig.
"It's a bit special"
He tells that he clearly notices that many more people recognize him now than before he went to the French capital.
It happens that people come up and say congratulations, someone wants to take a picture… It's very many who recognize us and it's something we're not at all used to. So it's a bit special.
Both notice also an upswing for beach volleyball as a sport. In connection with an Olympic celebration in central Stockholm, masses of people have turned up to challenge the duo on a provisional court.
It's super cool that it has received so much attention and hopefully more can open their eyes to beach volleyball, says Åhman.
"Something completely extra"
Truls Möregårdh looks at the beach volleyball duo and notes a similar effect around table tennis.
I think those guys recognize themselves. That our sports haven't been super big in Sweden. But now, ping-pong has really come back into the spotlight. Many play ping-pong again and love the sport, says Möregårdh.
He also notices how more people come up on the street and want to talk to him.
People say congratulations or want to shake one's hand. It feels special and super cool.
How do you view your increased celebrity status?
It's hard to take in, of course. You go from one night to the next… A bit like it was during the Olympic Games. I never thought the Olympic Games would have such a big impact. I really notice that it's something completely extra.
