On Monday, the definitive message came that Sjöström – a major gold favorite on 50 meters freestyle – would also compete in the double distance at the Olympic Games.
She showed her class directly when she won her heat and was the fastest of all in the trials with 52.99.
But not even after her two 100-meter swims in the relay on Saturday was it given that there would be a start individually.
Absolute not. But I talked a little with the coaches and together with them, we made the decision that I would swim. It's a lot on the coaches' initiative, but it's very fun to do, says Sjöström.
"Good for 50"
Primarily, it's not about the chance to win an Olympic medal – but to keep going ahead of the main event, 50 meters freestyle, on the weekend.
I thought about it these two days when you haven't done anything that it would have become a few too many days. It's good for 50 to keep going a bit, it's not so good to sit still for a week after the relay, says she.
But a competitor like Sjöström is also tense about what she can do. She has an Olympic bronze, four World Championship silvers, and a World Championship bronze previously on the distance.
It's very rare that I want to swim 100 meters freestyle, I don't love swimming 100 meters. But it's fun to compete and worth going out there, says she.
Nail-biter for Coleman
Sjöström was three hundredths of a second faster than Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong, and six hundredths ahead of Chinese Yang Junxuan.
Gold favorite Mollie O'Callaghan had the fifth time with 53.27. The Australian took World Championship gold both in 2022, ahead of Sjöström, and 2023.
Just the World Championship 2022 was the last time Sjöström swam 100 meters freestyle in a championship.
Michelle Coleman had the 14th time with 54.10.
Step one is done, it was just about getting through. It became a little too much of a nail-biter. It felt maybe a little too controlled, tonight it's just about going out and giving it all you've got, says Coleman.
The semifinals will be decided on Tuesday evening at 21.33.
