Outdoors & Sports
A Look Back at Rio
The curtains have closed on the Rio Games, and Sweden’s medal haul included two golds, six silvers and three bronzes. While the women’s soccer team attracted the most headlines in its run to a silver medal, the Swedes finished with 11 medals after combining for 13 in the past two Olympic Games.
Here’s a look back at Sweden’s medalists in Rio.
Gold
- Sarah Sjöström entered the Games with high hopes, and she delivered by becoming the first Swedish woman ever to win a gold medal in swimming. She set a world record in winning the 100m butterfly.
- Jenny Rissveds was a surprise gold medalist in the women’s mountain bike. In a field that included seven world champions, it was Rissveds, at 22 the youngest rider in the competition, who took home the gold.
Silver
- The Swedish women’s soccer team upset the United States and Brazil to reach the gold medal match, but fell to Germany 2-1. The Swedes, whose defense carried them to the brink of a gold medal, fell behind the Germans 2-0 before a furious rally late.
- One of the most anticipated women’s swimming events was the 200m freestyle, which pitted Sjöström against American superstar Katie Ledecky. Ledecky surged to the gold medal, while Sjöström earned the silver.
- Henrik Stenson’s big year continued in Rio. After winning his first major – The British Open – earlier this year, Stenson captured the silver medal in golf, the first time golf has been played in the Olympics since 1904.
- It appeared American Mara Abbott, who led the women’s cycling road race late after an accident claimed the leader, was going to hold on for the gold medal. But a trio of cyclists, including Sweden’s Emma Johansson, chased down Abbott with 150 meters to go. Johansson won the second silver medal of her career.
- Marcus Svensson reached the gold-medal match in skeet and hit 12 straight shots to force sudden death. After Italy’s Gabrielle Rossetti hit all four of his shots, Svensson hit three straight but missed on his last shot.
- Peder Fredricson also won silver in the individual jumping final in equestrian. He also made headlines for dabbing, a celebration for his sons.
Bronze
- Sjöström finished her Olympic Games with three medals, capturing the bronze in the 100m free.
- Jenny Fransson became the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling when she earned bronze on the mats.
- Not long after, Sofia Mattsson also earned a bronze medal in wrestling, and her reaction was priceless.
