I was born in 1979 in a town in southern Sweden. Started paddling at early age of 7 when the spots in the sailing academy was filled that summer and my mom wanted me and my sister to do something with water. I started training really hard in 1998 when I was identified as an Olympic future talent in a search done by the Swedish Olympic committee.
At the time I was in the army making sure the Swedish king was safe as his personal guard. He was so safe that I could take a lot of time off for training and I made good progress and made my first senior national team in 1999 where I qualified for the Sydney Olympics in the K-4. Since then I’ve been permanent member of the Swedish national team and working full time with my sport.
Along side with my sport I’ve studied some international economics and logistics. When not paddling I’m trying to create the perfect iTunes library and I love the beach and all kinds of water sports.
1. What do you enjoy most about blogging as an athlete?
I like the feedback I get from readers and I also like to keep people who cares about me informed in what I’m doing and thinking.
2. What’s the best moment of your sports career?
Many good moments, but one is for sure a semifinal at world champs in Atlanta 2003, making my best time so far 1.36.3 really close to being the perfect race 1/10 over current unofficial world record.
3. What are you most looking forward to in Beijing?
Passing the 200m mark in the final. Feeling good, ready to go all out towards the finish line.
Sports History:
- 10 years member of Swedish national senior team
- 3 time Olympic team member 2000,2004,2008
- 10 times Swedish champion K-1
- European silver medalist K-1 500m
- 3 x worldcup silvers K-1 500m in 2007
- 4th K-1 500m pre-Olympic games 2007
- 8th K-1 500m world championships 2003
- 8th K-4 1000m Olympic games 2000
- 4th K-1 500m, 5th K-2 1000m European Championships 2008
