Sophie Hansson snooping outside the podium: "Unfortunately I was too cowardly"

- It's terribly close to a medal, especially on this long distance, there are not many hundredths, and I'm so strong in the end and I get so annoyed with myself that I did not dare to put in the extra gear before, Hansson says to SVT Sport.

It was still a personal record and until the gold it was only 0.25 for Hansson.

- It is noticeable that I am a little above.

Unfortunately, I was too cowardly today, but the time is no matter how good, Hansson sums up the effort.

The first three were within 0.11.

- I wanted to make my contribution for the team, says Emily Escobedo, USA, who won at 2.17.85.

Second was Jevgenija Chikunova, the Russian team, at 2.17.88 and Molly Renshaw, Great Britain, third at 2.17.96.

Hansson easily reached the final early this morning on the then new personal record of 2.20.31.

- It was a very good time, I'm happy with it, Hansson told SVT Sport after having had the second best time.