In 2000 Lars Frölander won the Olympic gold in 100 m butterfly. Just a year earlier, he had changed his diet to be entirely plant-based. Frölander has told him that he got rid of recurring infections and diseases, and was able to recover better. Therese Alshammar also went the same way and changed her diet.

- I have been inspired by Lars Frölander and Therese Alshammar. I have talked to both of them and they thought it was a great idea.

"Several personal records at the gym"

After two medalless Olympics, Sarah Sjöström took her first medals in Rio 2016. Four years later, she aims to redo the business in Tokyo this summer. Three months ago, she chose to change her diet and is now a vegetarian.

- I have become very much stronger. There are only personal records in the gym all the time. I feel that I have more energy, I sleep better at night and I feel the mood is stable. I think it has changed a lot for me.

Sarah Sjöström is currently in training camp in South Africa and SVT was able to witness how the 26-year-old has become stronger in the gym.

- There were several personal records, including pull ups, where I did 18 pieces. My personal (personal record) before was 12.

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Sarah Sjöström personally sets a record in "pull ups". Photo: SVT / Toby Selander

"Feeling much better now"

Much is about the fact that Sjöström wants to achieve new results, while also highlighting the environmental reasons.

- I travel a lot, which is not so good, but if I can influence by eating a vegetarian diet, it is good. Then I want to see if I can swim faster if I eat vegetarian, but it remains to be seen.

- But just because I eat vegetarian now does not mean that I will do it forever. But I feel much better now.

Seeds: The diet saved my career