‘The Warrior, not the Worrier’: This steadfast mantra propels Swedish swimming sensation Sarah Fredrika Sjöström to the spectacular final of the women’s 100-meter freestyle event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At 30, Sjöström is at the pinnacle of her career, clocking sub-53 seconds and inching ever closer to her elusive gold medal. As the world eagerly anticipates this historic moment in the City of Love, let’s revisit the awe-inspiring journey of this legendary swimmer.

How accomplished is our Swedish phenomenon?

Sarah Sjöström’s rise in the swimming world is nothing short of extraordinary. Unlike many elite athletes, Sarah began her swimming career at the age of 10, a relatively late start. Initially, she disliked swimming due to water blocking her glasses and only gave it a try because of a friend’s insistence. This reluctant start, however, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

By 14, Sjöström had already made waves in the senior swimming realm, quickly earning fame for her incredible speed. In 2009, at just 15, she won her first gold medal at the World Championships. Although the 2012 London Olympics were challenging, she returned stronger in Rio 2016, becoming the first female Olympic swimmer from Sweden and setting a record in the 100m Butterfly.

Doubts about her ability to maintain her performance were silenced when she secured a silver in the 50m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In 2022, Sjöström’s dominance continued with three medals at the World Championships, including golds in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. She also set a new record at the European Championships, becoming the female swimmer with the highest medal haul, totaling 28, including three golds.

Her momentum didn’t stop there. Sjöström claimed her 21st career medal at the World Aquatic Championships, edging closer to Michael Phelps’ historic record.

Enough of the dyed-in-the-wool facts! Now let’s make you meet the champion from a more personal perspective.

A glimpse into her personal life

To truly understand the person behind the “Gold Bae” moniker, you need to delve into the other facets of Sarah Sjöström’s life. If she hadn’t pursued swimming, gaming might have been her calling. The Stockholm-born swimmer inherited a love for gaming from her father and brother, becoming quite skilled at it. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Sweden’s Wonder Girl even joked that she could dedicate herself to video games full-time.

Sjöström’s personal quirks also reveal her human side. Despite being an international athlete, she has aviophobia and a passion for interior decoration. It’s intriguing to think that someone who competes on the world stage finds joy in household organizing and feels anxious about air travel. These traits remind us that behind the medals and records, Sarah Sjöström is a relatable, down-to-earth individual with her own unique fears and hobbies.

Now, peeping through her dating life, the 30-year-old is currently single. As per the reports, the world-class swimmer announced her engagement to her long-time beau, Swedish fencer Johan de Jong Skierus, in the year 2022. But since then there’s been no news on the couple, triggering the fanfare to believe they broke up. However, there might be another case in which the couple is keeping their private life close to their chest.

However, for now, we are waiting with bated breath for a jaw-dropping Paris Olympic finish for the Swede stalwart.

Do you think she will make history tonight? Let us know in the comments.