Coach’s Convincing Persuasion Leads to Gold Medal Triumph at Olympics

The 100m freestyle isn’t her race. But after some initial pushback, Sarah Sjöström agreed to compete in it anyway.

PARIS, France — Sarah Sjöström pulled off her goggles, scanned the scoreboard, and erupted in emotional celebration. She pounded the water in triumph, sat on the lane line, and raised her arms high in victory.

The Swedish sprint swimmer then hopped out of the pool, waved to the crowd, and covered her face, overwhelmed by the realization that she had won the 100-meter freestyle on Wednesday night.

Sjöström began her Olympic journey at age 15 in Beijing. Now, at 30 in Paris, she once again reigns as an Olympic champion.

Remarkably, this victory comes in an event she was initially reluctant to enter, despite holding the world record since 2017.

“This is unbelievable. I didn’t think I would swim the 100 free, honestly,” Sjöström said. Following her freestyle relay performance, she told her coach she preferred to focus on the 50-meter event. “But he insisted I give it a try, no matter the outcome,” she added.

This is her second gold medal across five Olympic appearances.

Sjöström touched the wall in 52.16 seconds, narrowly beating American Torri Huske, who finished at 52.29. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong claimed bronze with a time of 52.33.

“I think my reaction said everything,” Sjöström said. “I didn’t really know where I was exactly when I finished. It took me a few seconds to realize I had won. I was fully focused on the details that I’ve been working on.”

Her coaches’ persuasion paid off, stemming from the start of the swimming competition last weekend.

Initially set on focusing exclusively on the 50-meter freestyle, Sjöström is now delighted she reconsidered.

Trailing at the halfway point, she dug deep to clinch the win.

“I didn’t know what to expect from myself or others,” she said. “I’m super proud that I attempted this.”

A veteran of five Olympic Games and holder of three world records — the 50 butterfly, 100, and 50 freestyle — Sjöström was the 100 fly champion in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.

“I have seven silver medals from world championships and a bronze from the 2016 Olympics,” she said. “That says a lot. I have no more words.”

During her victory lap at La Defense Arena, Sjöström held the Swedish flag high and stopped frequently for selfies with fans.

Next, she will have a few days to rest and concentrate on her 50-meter freestyle, scheduled for Sunday, the final day of swimming at these Games.

The 50-meter event is her specialty, her comfort zone.

“That’s always been my challenge with the 100 free,” she said. “I need to focus on my breathing pattern. With the 50 free, there’s no problem. I just put my head down, spin my arms, and swim fast.”