Yesterday the Swedish Olympic Committee announced that Stina Gardell and Ida Lindborg have been added to the Swedish Olympic team as relay swimmers. The Swedish Swimming Federation stated that they were added because of their results at both the Swedish Open and the European Championships.
At the Stockholm Open Gardell was the third fastest Swede in the women’s 200 freestyle finishing in a lifetime best of 2:00.36, which is under the FINA B time of 2:03.13, but much slower than the FINA A time of 1:58.96.
Gardell was also the top Swede in the women’s 200 IM, but finished second to Russian Viktoriya Andreeva. She posted a time of 2:13.92, which is under the FINA A standard of 2:14.26. Gardell’s lifetime best is a 2:12.29, which she recorded in 2012.
Lindborg was the top Swede in the women’s 50 backstroke in Stockholm finishing third in a time of 28.39, which is a lifetime best.
The announcement by the Swedish Olympic Committee did not only include Gardell and Lindborg, but officially added 15 new athletes in nine sports. The Swedish Olympic team now consists of 138 athletes.
The two swimmers will join Sarah Sjöström, Jennie Johansson, Simon Sjödin, Erik Persson, Sophie Hansson, Ida Marko Varga, Louise Hansson and Michelle Coleman who will be representing Sweden in the pool.
Will be interesting how Sweden/Sarah choose the relay events at the Olympics. They seem to be one swimmer short in terms of breaking the top 3 in the 100/200 relays. They won’t have the ability not to swim her to make the finals as well. Is it worth compromising her individual swims in the 50/100/200 fr and 100 fly? Tough one, do you think she will do it all?
she probably will not do the 200fr.
Is she not better to do the 200 individuel than the relay though- she has a better chance at a medal
She’s expected to swim it all. 100 fly starts off the meet so it doesn’t interfere with her baby.