More and more young people are taking an interest in endurance sports.
In recent years, the number of participants between 18-25 years old has increased significantly at Vätternrundan.
We think that's fantastic, says Oskar Sundblad, Vätternrundan's CEO.
This weekend, Vätternrundan, the 186-mile long cycling classic, will take place. Then, nearly 30 per cent more young people in the 18-25 age group will participate compared to last year.
One of them is Lukas Bliznac, who will turn 18 later this year. He has decided to complete "A Swedish Classic" before his 18th birthday. He cycled Vasaloppet in winter and after Vätternrundan, Vansbrosimmet and Lidingöloppet remain.
It was probably Vätternrundan I decided to do first. My mum has done it before, and I felt that cycling was something I should have a go at, and that I could test myself, so let's see what happens, says Lukas Bliznac.
Focusing on young people
Vätternrundan has deliberately tried to attract more young people, among other things by increasing its presence in social media and offering 18-year-olds free entry fees.
But Oskar Sundblad, CEO of Vätternrundan, believes the increase is due to more than that.
We have some kind of global trend linked to physical activity. It's trending quite hard if you start digging into Tiktok and social media, that young people are physically active and want to show off that they're physically active. It creates a ripple effect, I think, says Oskar Sundblad.
Why exercise has become a trend, Sundblad believes, is about something bigger.
The strong thing is probably one's own well-being. You notice that you actually feel good physically and mentally when you're physically active. I think most people do it just for their own sake, he says.
Has not affected
Oskar Sundblad does not think the increase in young participants has affected Vätternrundan – except that there are more mobile cameras.
We've seen a lot of pictures and videos, even when they're cycling, and I reckon we'll be able to see a lot from our depots and from Motala during the races this weekend.
Lukas Bliznac believes there is a connection between social media trends and the growing interest in endurance sports among young people.
If you look up to someone and they do something, you're probably inspired to do the same thing. Trends, people like to follow them.
TT: Is young people's interest in endurance sports just a trend, or can it last?
New exercise trends emerge all the time, and it's big on social media that you should keep going and train, so I think it will remain in the future, says Lukas Bliznac.
