Sarah Sjöström has fond memories of Rome.

It was there that a then 15-year-old Sjöström had his big international breakthrough after winning WC gold and breaking his first world record.

How special will it be to come back to Rome?

- It feels good.

I have competed many times in that pool and I have good memories from there.

It is always fun to come back to places where you have performed very well in the past, says the 28-year-old.

"It's tough"

The championship, which is broadcast on SVT and which runs between August 11-17, is Sjöström's second this summer.

And recharging before another big competition has been difficult.

- It's tough, it's unusual to have two championships in one summer, it's tough to recharge.

But I just try to follow the procedures as best I can and do the job.

What motivates you?

- I enjoy life as an elite athlete and get to stand behind the podium when it matters.

That feeling is addictive.

Then it's a lot of fun with the trips you get to take with friends when you swim.

"Go with the flow"

During the EC, Sjöström will compete in the distances 50 meters freestyle, 50 meters butterfly and two team races.

But she has not set any personal goals.

- I have not set any special goals.

Instead, it becomes more "go with the flow" and see what happens.

I know that I have been reasonably stable at 50 meters so it's just a matter of continuing, she says.

The EC in Rome starts on August 11.