Sarah Sjöström has had a hectic 2019 World Cup in South Korea and a premiere year in swimming's new breakout tour, ISL (International Swim League). After ISL ended with a final the days before Christmas, Sarah Sjöström now chooses to say no to the International Swimming Association, FINA's own "Master Tour".
The "Master Tour" started last year after the International Swimming Association received criticism for low prize money in competitions. Last year Sarah Sjöström was also in the starting lists but this year she chooses to stand over, she tells Dagens Nyheter.
Sarah Sjöström is currently in South Africa at a three-week training camp. The swimming star tells DN that during an Olympic year like this she chooses to invest in a longer continuous training period instead of going on FINA's championship tour.
In Sarah's place we will instead have a Swedish presence in the form of Michelle Coleman who, after a third place in the overall World Cup, is now getting ready for the "Master's Tour".
- In January there are usually not many competition opportunities so this competition is right for me, says Michelle Coleman to DN.
Michelle Coleman will compete in 50 and 100 freestyle swims, 50 and 100 back swims and 50 meters butterfly swims during a total of two competitions.
- It will be perfect for me to have several races against good resistance, says Michelle Coleman to Dagens Nyheter.