- It was the son of a heavy Dutch coach who wanted to have contact with me, which made me happy.

He got in touch and said that "my son would like to talk training with you".

Then I was a little surprised, says van der Poel, who is on a quick visit to Stockholm.

The visit is about promoting his latest role.

Through a newly started management company together with a former carpenter Björn Forslund and Urban Johansson, CEO in the insurance industry, the future of Swedish Olympic sports will be built.

A limited number of athletes are to be offered support in their careers, both financially, mentally and above all in terms of training with van der Poel's experiences as a basis.

The athletes will be allowed to apply to be part of the project, a handful will be selected and so far only one name is clear: the cross-country skier Fredrik Andersson, younger brother of Ebba.

- It will be really fun.

I myself was very inspired by Johan Olsson during my own sports career.

Getting to work with someone who is close to him athletically, it will be a lot of fun, says van der Poel about the recent Swedish 50 km champion.

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van der Poel will work with the Swedish champion at 50 km

Several other top athletes have chimed in since the figure skater released his training manifesto the day after his second Olympic gold.

Track and field athlete Andreas Almgren and swimmer Viktor Johansson have themselves told about their contacts with the Olympic hero, but there are significantly more, including Swedish Olympic medalists, but they are kept secret.

- Those who have not done so in the media must go out and tell it themselves.

What do athletes need?

- It is very difficult to navigate career-wise.

You need to train a lot, but at the same time you need to rest and recover.

In addition, you have to build some kind of everyday life where you enjoy and feel good, without the need to generate an income.

It is a difficult puzzle, especially as a Swedish athlete where much is based on association life and volunteering.

The press conference was held in the Swedish Olympic Committee's premises at Stockholm's stadium, a sign that the project is still in line with the SOK's thoughts.

The idea is to primarily help athletes from Olympic sports, although no medal target has been set for the project.

- Well, within a ten-year period, I hope we can double the amount of gold that is here.

So it must be four then, says van der Poel with a wry look.