Ten new names are clear for the Olympics in Paris. On Friday, among others, sprinter Henrik Larsson, who finished fourth in the 100 meters at the European Championship, received clearance from the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK).
It's a dream come true, he says.
Henrik Larsson's performance in the European Championship final at the Olympic Stadium in Rome last weekend did not quite reach the medal threshold – but did secure an Olympic spot.
It's incredibly exciting, of course, it's a dream come true in many ways. Unbelievable. When I got the call, I couldn't scream out loud on the phone, but my partner and I jumped for joy on the sofa, says Larsson.
Larsson holds the Swedish record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.08 – but the 24-year-old wants more and believes that if everything falls into place in an Olympic semi-final, a final spot is not impossible.
My goal is, of course, to be in the best shape of my life at the Olympics, if I am, I can probably get under ten seconds. But fundamentally, I'm going in with the goal of taking it one race at a time. The first focus is to get from the heats to the semi-finals, and then fight for a final spot.
Kamga selected after European Championship drama
Besides the 100-meter sprinter, four more track and field athletes were presented, including Vanessa Kamga, discus, who was involved in a drama at the European Championship final. The Swede finished fifth with a new personal best of 62.71, but the result was later disqualified due to a faulty throw at the start of the competition.
Thea Löfman, hammer throw, Oskar Edlund on 400 meters hurdles, and shot putter Axelina Johansson also received clearance for the Olympics, and a total of 15 track and field athletes are now selected.
"There's a mix of established medal hopes and several exciting young names making their Olympic debut," says SOK's team manager Peter Reinebo about the track and field athletes in a press release.
"Fine mix in the team"
The 28-year-old boxer Agnes Alexiusson, who secured an international quota spot at competitions in Bangkok two weeks ago, is also selected.
The same applies to rifle shooter Victor Lindgren and pistol shooter Stina Lawner, as well as cyclist Jakob Söderqvist and Isak Öhrström in canoe slalom.
"We have a fine mix in the team with athletes from many different sports and events. In addition to several very successful and experienced Olympians, we also have many exciting young athletes who are rapidly developing and now taking their place in the Olympic team," says Reinebo.
The next time SOK expands the team will be on June 26. The Olympics in Paris open on July 26.
Table tennis: Men's team, women's team, mixed doubles (Truls Möregårdh, Anton Källberg, Kristian Karlsson, Stina Källberg, Linda Bergström, Filippa Bergand)
Boxing: Nebil Ibrahim (57 kg), Agnes Alexiusson (60 kg)
Wrestling: Jonna Malmgren (53 kg)
Cycling: Jenny Rissveds (mountain bike), Caroline Andersson (road race), Jakob Söderqvist (road race)
Athletics: Andreas Kramer (800 meters), Andreas Almgren (5,000 meters and 10,000 meters), Carl Bengtström (400 meters hurdles), Thobias Montler (long jump), Armand Duplantis (pole vault), Daniel Ståhl (discus), Fanny Roos (shot put), Suldan Hassan (marathon), Carolina Wikström (marathon), Perseus Karlström (walking), Axelina Johansson (shot put), Oskar Edlund (400 meters hurdles), Thea Löfman (hammer throw), Henrik Larsson (100 meters), Vanessa Kamga (discus)
Golf: Ludvig Åberg
Handball: Men's team, women's team
Judo: Marcus Nyman (90 kg), Tara Babulfath (48 kg)
Canoeing: Linnea Stensils/Moa Wikberg (K2 500 meters, Stensils also K1 500 meters), Martin Nathell (K1 1,000 meters), Melina Andersson (K1 500 meters), Isak Öhrström (canoe slalom)
Equestrian: Jumping team, eventing team, dressage team
Sailing: Vilma Bobeck/Rebecca Netzler (49erFX), Anton Dahlberg/Lovisa Karlsson (470), Josefin Olsson (laser radial), Emil Järudd/Hanna Jonsson (nacra-17), Johanna Hjertberg (windsurfing IQFoil)
Swimming: Sarah Sjöström (50 meters freestyle), Michelle Coleman (50 meters freestyle, 100 meters freestyle), Sophie Hansson (100 meters breaststroke), Louise Hansson (100 meters butterfly), Erik Persson (200 meters breaststroke), Björn Seeliger (50 meters freestyle), Victor Johansson (400, 800, and 1,500 meters freestyle, as well as marathon), relay 4x100 meters freestyle men and 4x100 meters medley mixed, as well as Emilia Nilsson Garip (diving, 3 meters)
Shooting: Stefan Nilsson (skeet), Marcus Svensson (skeet), Victoria Larsson (skeet), Rickard Levin Andersson (trap), Victor Lindgren (rifle 10 meters and helmatch), Stina Lawner (pistol 25 meters)
Triathlon: Tilda Månsson
Volleyball: David Åhman/Jonatan Hellvig (beach volleyball)
