Olympian Sarah Sjostrom To Skip Competing In 2025

Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom has decided to take a short break from swimming. After competing in her fifth Olympics in Paris, Sjostrom has no plans to participate in 2025. However, the swimmer will continue training and is eyeing the L.A. Olympics in 2028.

In an interview with a Swedish newspaper, Dagens Nyheter (DN), she stated, “I have no competitions planned. I will train, but at a low load and then slowly increase. I think that is the best way to last in the long run.” Sjostrom, still curious about how far her swimming skills can take her, has also considered her future plans. The 31-year-old, who has made an appearance in every Olympics since her debut in 2008, hopes to participate in her sixth-straight Olympic Games. As per the swimmer, “To just qualify for a sixth Olympics would be awesome.” She added, “It would be more awesome to be close to the times I swim in Paris.”

Sjostrom will be 34 when the 2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. Most of the swimmers usually decide to retire from the sport in their early 30s; Michael Phelps decided to leave competitive swimming for good at the age of 31. A few months earlier, Australia’s Cate Campbell announced her retirement at the age of 32 after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics. However, one of Sjostrom’s main strengths lies in her longevity. She can join the legacy of United States Anthony Ervin, who won the individual gold in 50 free at the Rio Olympics at the age of 35, and Dara Torres, who powered the USA’s gold medal feat in the 4×100-meter relay race at the Sydney Olympics at the age of 33.

This decision comes after a terrific season for Sjostrom. Maintaining her expertise in sprinting events from the start, at the 2024 Worlds, she created history winning her sixth consecutive world title in the 50 butterfly. At Paris, Sjostrom was heavily favored to win the gold medal in the 50 free owing to her silver medal performance in Tokyo. She didn’t fail to deliver, clinching the event in 23.71 and also winning her first Olympic gold in 100 free in 52.16.

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What Does Sarah Sjostrom’s Absence From The 2025 Season Mean?

Sarah Sjostrom has been a consistent swimmer in international events. She has participated in every long-course World Championships since her debut in 2009 and achieved a podium finish in almost every meet. The Swedish swimmer has set records in multiple events, including 100 free, 50 free, 50 fly, and 100 fly, and so far claimed a total of 14 individual gold medals at World Championships.

If Sjostrom decides to stick to her decision for the 2025 season, her extraordinary World Championships streak will break. However, her absence will also provide a chance for many staunch athletes to showcase their skills in the long-course meet in the summer of 2025. Team U.S. swimmers, including Gretchen Walsh, who has been training for her win in the long-course pool, will certainly be interesting to watch in both butterfly and freestyle events.

Torri Huske, who edged out Walsh to win the 100-meter butterfly in Paris, will also look forward to claiming her second gold in the 100 fly event after finishing third at 2023 Worlds. Chinese sensation Zhang Yufei, who has provided tough competition to Sarah Sjostrom in various events in the past, will also eye her first gold in the 50 fly and 50 free events.