Sarah Sjöström: A Refreshing Swim Break in 2025!

Sarah Sjöström from Sweden intends to refrain from competitive swimming in 2025 but may seek to participate in her sixth Olympics in 2028.

A representative for Sjöström verified the swimmer’s intentions, as reported by the Swedish publication Dagens Nyheter (DN) on Saturday.

Sjöström secured victories in the 50m and 100m freestyle events at the Paris Olympics, becoming the second-oldest female swimming gold medalist in an individual category at the age of 30.

“Currently, I do not have any competitions scheduled,” Sjöström stated, according to a translation of the DN article. “I will be training, but at a minimal intensity and then gradually increase it. I believe that is the best approach for longevity.”

Sjöström, a six-time Olympic medalist who wed in September, has participated in every Olympics and World Championships since the 2008 Beijing Games at the age of 14.

She boasts 25 medals from world championships, placing her second in women’s swimming history, just behind Katie Ledecky (26).

She holds the record for the most individual world medals by any swimmer (20). She ranks third in individual golds (14), behind Ledecky (16) and Michael Phelps (15).

She does not intend to increase her totals at the upcoming world championships next summer in Singapore, but may attempt to do so at the 2027 Championships in Budapest in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“Simply qualifying for my sixth Olympics would be incredible, but it is evident that it would be even more remarkable if I could approach the times I achieved in Paris,” Sjöström expressed, according to DN. “Especially in the 50m freestyle.”

“However, when the Olympics take place in LA, I will be nearly 35 years old, and that is something to consider. In both the fall of 2022 and 2023, I experienced an extraordinarily easy time competing, and my body reacted exceptionally well to that. It felt like I returned stronger because I was well-rested when I commenced intensive training.”