Sarah Sjöström has landed in Paris as a top favorite for the Olympic gold on 50 meters freestyle.
Calmness, self-confidence, and strength make the swimming star able to handle the pressure.
She is quite immune to stress, says former star and national team colleague Therese Alshammar.
Sarah Sjöström herself shrugs at the favorite tag.
It's not the first time I'm going in as a favorite. Both on 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly, I've been that for ten years, and before that on 100 butterfly. So it's nothing new. I've had better preparations than ever before an Olympics, says Sjöström, after a day on site in Paris, in connection with Thursday's press conference at Sweden Arena.
"Fantastic years"
Sjöström has been superior on the distance for several years and the world record holder has, among other things, won three consecutive World Championship golds. Something that Therese Alshammar also emphasizes. The former star is in Paris as an expert commentator for the TV company Max (formerly Discovery).
She has had fantastic years the last three years, lined up swimming after swimming under 24 seconds. Historically, it has almost never required more than 24.0. She does under 24 seconds very easily. It's very few who have that capacity, says "Tessan".
Sjöström's surroundings highlight how unbothered she is by the situation of being the biggest blue-yellow gold favorite along with pole vault genius Armand Duplantis.
She looks very strong and self-confident, she is as calm as can be. She is a role model, she is the one leading the Swedish team. If I could "bet", my money would be on her, says long-distance swimmer Victor Johansson.
"Very focused"
National team captain Martina Aronsson smiles broadly and gives a thumbs up when TT asks how Sjöström has looked the last few days at the training camp in Eskilstuna.
Fantastic. She is in very good spirits and is very focused, says Aronsson.
Sjöström, who also swims 100 meters freestyle individually, has not yet had time to absorb the Olympic atmosphere in the French capital.
We've just tried to settle in. We haven't even been to the competition arena, only the training pool, says she.
There will be no visit to Friday's spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine River either.
It's important to rest before the first competition day. It's easy to feel that you have a lot of energy now, but it will catch up in the end if you don't save it, says she.
Saturday, July 27: Relay, 4x100 meters freestyle, heats and possible final.
Tuesday, July 30: 100 meters freestyle, heats and semifinal.
Wednesday, July 31: 100 meters freestyle, final.
Saturday, August 3: 50 meters freestyle, heats and semifinal, relay 4x100 meters medley, heats.
Sunday, August 4: 50 meters freestyle, final, relay 4x100 meters medley, possible final.
