It has been a revolutionary spring for the runner Nils van der Poel from Trollhättan.

With a hair's breadth, he managed to pinch a place at the World Cup in Heerenveen in February.

Once there, he won gold in both 5,000 and 10,000 meters and also set the world record for the long distance.

Now he is praised by the jury for the Victoria Prize.

The prize will be awarded on Victoria Day, Crown Princess Victoria's birthday on 14 July, in Borgholm.

The first prize was awarded in 1979 to Ingemar Stenmark.

Last year it went to pole vaulter Armand Duplantis and the year before that to biathlete Hanna Öberg.

Flattering list

- It's a flattering list to see your name on.

These are great athletes and women.

But somehow it now feels like I might belong on that list and it feels very fun, says van der Poel to TT.

Nils van der Poel explains that he also thinks that the award may also mean that the sport of skating has once again taken a place in the hearts of Swedes.

- For me, the royal family is something central in the Swedish people's soul.

That's how I perceive it and that's why I think this award is extra fun, he says.

Guarded the castle

He has never before in his life met anyone from the royal family.

- No I have not.

But I have, on the other hand, guarded their castle in Stockholm, says the hunter-gatherer van der Poel, who was on high guard during his military service.

In connection with Victoria Day, what is known as Victoria Golf is arranged.

The participants consist of companies that compete in teams and raise funds for Crown Princess Victoria's fund through various challenges around the track.

Last year's winner Armand Duplantis walked around the track with Prince Daniel.

But Nils van der Poel hesitates if he is asked to do the same.

- If they ask if I play golf, I wish I could answer yes.

But then I will have to eat it.

I played some golf in my youth but I have not done so in the last eight years.

So I should probably answer no.

Generation Pep

But there is another question he would no doubt answer yes to.

The Crown Princess couple are the initiators of the Generation Pep initiative.

Generation Pep wants to try to create a popular movement for more physical activity.

And if there is something that is close to the training person Nils van der Poel's heart, it is training.

His training dose is now between 35 and 40 hours a week.

During the spring and summer, he has shown his passion for all forms of training.

It's not just about skating, but also about cycling, skiing, running, multisport and skydiving.

Almost everything - except golf.

So would the Crown Princess couple ask, there is no doubt.

- I would have liked to be an ambassador, he says.