Could Sarah Sjostrom Reach Century Mark in Career International Medals During 2026?
Is 2026 the year Sarah Sjostrom will claim the 100th international medal of her illustrious career? After giving birth to her son, Adrian, last August, the Swedish star took to social media in October to reveal she had returned to the water. While the five-time Olympian hasn’t confirmed plans for her competition schedule in the New Year, the biggest meet available to her is the European Championships, slated for August 10-16 in Paris.
If Sjostrom opts to compete at the European Champs, the meet would offer the chance for the 32-year-old to reach triple digits in career medals in global action. Between the Olympic Games, World Championships (LC/SC) and European Champs (LC/SC), Sjostrom has won 96 medals – 52 gold, 34 silver and 10 bronze. That total sits one behind the 97 medals won by Hungarian Katinka Hosszu during her career.
For Sjostrom to hit the century mark, the Swede would need to medal in two individual events and two relays, or three individual events and one relay. If Sjostrom decides to race in Paris, the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly are expected to be part of her program. Whether she contests the 100 freestyle, where she is the reigning Olympic titlist, remains a question mark.
The fact that Sjostrom is approaching the 100-medal mark is not just evidence of her sprinting dominance, but the longevity she has exhibited. Sjostrom made her first appearance at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, which means LA28 – if she competes – would be her sixth Games.