In the Doha World Cup, Perseus Karlström looked long enough to have secured a silver medal. But in the extreme climate in Qatar, the Swede lost in the end and it eventually became a bronze money after the Russian Mizinov passed Karlstöm with a few kilometers left of the race.
For the 2020 Olympics, Karlström hopes that the move for the walking competition to the cooler Sapporo will lead to greater success in Japan.
- There will be less stress with the cooler climate. Everyone has it tougher in warm conditions but because I'm bigger than my competitors the move benefits me more, says Karlström to SVT Sport.
The Swede has also worked on new techniques to counteract the effects of heat during the race.
- I see the chances of improving my results as good. I have started working on new cooling techniques and will also have some other aces in the rocker sleeve when it is time for Sapporo.
"Will compete outside the entire Olympics"But the move is not only positive for Perseus Karlström.
- In Sapporo we will have to compete outside the entire Olympics, which is boring. Then we noticed in Doha that with warm climates, those who are prepared for the extreme conditions are really rewarded. Had the competition been held in Tokyo, I would probably have benefited from the fact that my competitors had outperformed. But in Sapporo, my time will probably be better, says the pedestrian to SVT Sport.