Sarah Sjostrom Provides a Reminder: Swedish Veteran Remains a Force
The comeback of Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom is not unlike other returns the sport has seen through the years. She was out of the water for an extended period of time following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, in her case to embrace motherhood with the birth of her son, Adrian, in August 2025. Eventually, Sjostrom returned to the pool, and gradually ramped up training before jumping back into the competitive fray at the Swim Open Stockholm in April.
That reunion with competition produced quality results, as Sjostrom clocked respective times of 24.62 and 24.36 in the 50-meter freestyle. Over the weekend, the Swede’s comeback continued to take shape, as Sjostrom raced at the 62nd edition of the Sette Colli International Meet in Rome. Although overshadowed by American Gretchen Walsh, who enjoyed a record-breaking meet, Sjostrom excelled in her events, the 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
Sjostrom opened her meet at the Foro Italico with a strong showing in the 50 fly, as her mark of 25.05 is a time that only she and Walsh have bettered. En route to victory at the Sette Colli meet, Walsh set an American record of 24.51, the No. 2 performance of all-time. But Sjostrom’s effort also opened eyes, and confirmed the veteran will be a medals factor when the 50 fly is contested at the Olympic Games for the first time in 2028.
In the 50 freestyle, Sjostrom was more impressive, even if she was eclipsed by Walsh and her world record of 23.55. By going 23.86, Sjostrom recorded the 40th sub-24 swim of her career. To touch the wall a quarter-second off her former world record of 23.61 suggests Sjostrom, when deeper into her return, will challenge her top times. Simply, she is one of the greatest swimmers in history, her pure sprint talent still a major weapon.
Initially, the 32-year-old Sjostrom was uncertain about her summer schedule, and whether she would race at August’s European Championships in Paris. But with her comeback looking positive from the onset, Sjostrom wasted minimal time declaring herself a go for the French capital. And based on her most-recent performances from Rome, Sjostrom is well-positioned to reach the podium at Euros.
Heading into the European Championships, Sjostrom boasts a portfolio that includes 96 medals from major international competition, including six from the Olympic Games. Through the years, she has collected 25 pieces of hardware at the European Champs (LC), with multiple titles earned in the 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly. With a strong meet this summer, her global-medal count could reach triple digits, a feat never previously achieved on the international stage.
Yes, Walsh might have overshadowed Sjostrom in Rome, such is the power of world and American records. But Sjostrom reminded the world that she is still a powerful force.
