Johan Storåkers after the criticism: Wish that more critics contacted me

Johan Storåkers is the nomination committee's proposal ahead of next week's chairman's election, but after SVT Sports' revelations about his secret salaries, dissatisfaction has grown in athletics Sweden.

Storåkers tells SVT Sport that some of the criticism has reached him in recent weeks.

- There are a number who have expressed it, including on social media.

But there are very few of these people who have contacted me directly, he says to SVT Sport, and adds:

- That is why it is extra important that this is decided in a democratic order at the annual meeting, and not on social media.

I would have appreciated if more of the critics had dared to contact me personally.

I respect their opinions, but it is important that we have a constructive discussion in our popular movement for the future of Swedish athletics.

"Is not a science"

Storåkers has justified his right to collect a fee by saying that he performed operational work, but that motivation has not fallen into place with everyone.

Several people that SVT Sport has been in contact with, including Hammarby's longtime chairman Ingvar Åström, see several of the information that Storåkers presented as "ordinary chairman work".

- As I understand it, both in the Stockholm district and other organizations with staff, there have often been officials who have performed such assignments.

But it is always possible to discuss where the limit for operational assignments goes.

It is not a science with black and white assessment.

There is reason to be humble before that analysis and that discussion, says Storåkers.

There are people who say that you have gone behind the back of the board, do you agree with that?

- I have said all the time when this has been discussed that we should have been more transparent and open with these operational assignments.

And I stand by that.

Influenced by attention

Storåkers answers all questions, as in previous publications in the case.

But he admits that the attention of the last few weeks has affected him.

- I am no more than a human being, and as I said, I wish some of these critics had heard from me directly.

Of course, I'm not an emotionally cold creature, so it does matter.

But it still does not make me hesitate for the future, I am prepared to be chairman of Swedish athletics, for the whole country - both for critics and those who support me - and fight for several years for an inclusive athletics, in associations, districts and the national the federal organization, he says.