Olympic champion and World Record holder Sarah Sjostrom will make her return to competitive swimming at the Malmsten Swim Open in Stockholm, Sweden from April 9-12.
This will be Sjostrom’s first meet back since the post-Olympic Sjostrom Invitational in August 2024. In August 2025, she and her partner Johan de Jong Skierus welcomed their first child, Adrian.
“It feels very exciting to be back in a competitive setting again. The focus will be on gradually getting back into competitive shape while also enjoying being back in the pool. Of course, it will be extra special to do it on home ground in front of a Swedish audience,” Sjostrom said.
The meet hosts are excited about the interest the return will bring.
“It is incredibly gratifying to be able to welcome Sarah back to the competition pool. Her presence means a lot, both for the competition and for Swedish swimming as a whole,” said Dennis Fredriksson, project manager for Malmsten Swim Open. “This is a comeback that engages far beyond swimming. We look forward to great public and media interest in a competition that already has a very strong entry field.”
Organizers are expecting over 800 swimmers from 28 nations for the meet at the Eriksdalsbadet. Sjostrom’s return will bring a special significance to a meet that is already an important part of the international swimming schedule.
This year is the meet’s 10th edition, and Sjostrom is entered in the 50 free on Saturday, April 11.
Other big names entered in the meet:
- Dutch breaststrokers Caspar Corbeau and Arno Kamminga.
- 400 free World Record holder Lukas Maertens leads a great men’s distance group that includes Oliver Klemet, Lucas Henveaux, Victor Johansson, Florian Wellbrock, and Kregor Zirk.
- Roos Vanotterdijk, Sara Juvenik, Farida Osman, and Louise Hansson in the stroke sprints.
- Cal-tied Americans including Destin Lasco, Dare Rose, and Gabe Jett.
- Note: Sjostrom’s name is not on the official entry list, but organizers have confirmed her attendance.
Sjostrom, now 32, is a five-time Olympian and six-time Olympic medalist, all individual awards. She has three gold medals: the 100 fly from Rio, the 50 free from Paris, and the 100 free from Paris.
She has set numerous World Records in her career and currently holds the all-time marks in the 50 free (23.61), 100 free (51.71), and 50 fly (24.43) in long course.
She first broke through at the 2008 European Championships when she was only 14, setting a new Swedish Record in the 100 fly. After making her Olympic debut that year, still 14, the following year at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships, she set the World Record in the 100 fly.
Later in her career, she has shifted her attention mostly to sprint freestyles, though she won six straight World Championships in the 50 fly (LCM) as well until missing the 2025 meet.
Sarah won that 100 Fly at the 2008 European Sr Champs
She’s only 32 ????????
It feels like she’s been around forever
Haha she has. She’s been an elite for over half her life.
24.01 50 fly record
She must be coming back to shape faster than she expected. She told the Swedish press in December that the Stockholm Open was too soon for a return to competition.
https://swedenherald.com/article/sjostrom-dismisses-swim-open-in-stockholm-says-too-early
Perhaps a few extra Krona convinced her otherwise? 🤷🏼♂️
I remember her saying this:
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The sights are still set there in August – but with a twist:
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but that it was even more specific, something like she would only go if she felt she was ready to compete for a podium finish.
The banner pic is Sarah Sjostrom’s reaction to Jesus walking on water.
Because Sarah Sjostrom can swim on land.
When Sarah Sjostrom dives into a pool she doesn’t get wet. The water gets Sarah Sjostromed.
every time I see her husband’s name I feel like it should be a line in a gibberish-only nursery rhyme.
are you…. jealous?
Hope she can be near or under the Swedish QT for Summer Euro’s (max 4 swimmers / country /event) of 25.50