Hectors and Swenn-Larsson’s message: Our last Olympics
Sara Hector has a gold in grand slalom to defend.
But the Olympics in Italy in February – where the women’s alpine pines go in Cortina – will be her last Olympic Games.
– Yes, it will be, Hector’s straight message is when DN meets her in connection with a press conference in Crete.
Could it be the last season too?
– I’ll take it year by year, I’ve done that for a while now. But I don’t think so, because I think it’s so much fun now.
Hector was one of 24 Swedish athletes (and twelve teams) who received an Olympic ticket already on Wednesday, in connection with a recharge camp under the auspices of the Swedish Olympic Committee.
Colleague Anna Swenn-Larsson were another.
The slalom specialist is also clear about the future. The 2026 Olympics will be her last Olympics.
-I would say that it is 50-50 if I run one or two years, says Swenn-Larsson.
– But I don’t have four more seasons, I know that.
Even after the World Cup last winter, where a disappointed Anna Swenn-Larsson drove out, announced The World Cup two from 2019 that it was probably her last World Cup.
– I never think I will be such a person who goes around thinking « God, now is the last time I’m here or here ». Without my focus here and now and as always, I will go in to make my best season ever.
– But I know it’s my last year or my last years. It is not that I am unmotivated but I will be 34 this summer and there is more in life.
She made her first World Cup competition 2010. One year younger Sara Hector debuted the year before. Even before that, the duo had connected during the European Cup.
And it wasn’t always a dance on roses.
-We have really been tamped against each other for so many years, from the fact that we were in the junior team, was really immature, competed for everything and could not live together, says Swenn-Larsson.
Hector laughs:
– We were not allowed to train together, go lifting together. If we were out on a quiet jog together, there was no calm jog for anyone.
Why?
-We were really rivals, everything was a competition, says Swenn-Larsson.
– But from those years to today, it is clear that we have really found security with each other.
What does it mean now to make a last Olympic journey together?
-It’s great fun, I feel that there is so much that I have not achieved than in my career and I saw Sara take Olympic gold last time, says Anna Swenn-Larsson.
– It is something you dream about too, which is why it is inspiring to know that it is possible.
Sara Hector:
– I think that what was perhaps negative 15-16 years ago is a great strength with us now. For me it is very good to have Anna in the team. I am near Anna on a slalom training – then I know that I am in good shape.
Hector also missed Individual World Cup medal last winter but finished third in the Grand Slalomcupen in the World Cup.
– Now we will build on, have fun and just give the iron, says Hector a year waiting.
Swenn-Larsson:
-My big goal is top-three in the cup and an Olympic medal. These are extremely tough goals, but that’s how I am as a person.
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