Junevik values European bronze more than past gold

Sara Junevik, 26, secured a bronze medal in the 50-meter butterfly at the European Championships in Belgrade, an achievement she values more than her 2024 gold.

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This one will probably rank highest,

Junevik explained that the 2024 championship, held shortly before the Paris Olympics, did not attract the top stars, making the competition less intense. In contrast, the current European Championships featured a stronger field, including her teammate Sarah Sjöström, who clinched her 18th European long-course gold medal.

"The competition in Serbia two years ago was not at the same level as here," Junevik told reporters. "Even though I enjoyed it then, I feel this performance was something I had to fight harder for." She added, "Back then it was more 'of course I'm going to take the gold,' but now I feel more like I've earned this. That I've truly swum my way to it."

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I know that the competition in Serbia two years ago was not at the same level as here. Even though I enjoyed it then, I feel that this performance was something I had to fight more for,

Junevik, who has now won four European long-course medals, expressed admiration for Sjöström's performance. "Where do I even start?" she laughed. "It's so great to have her with us, and the times she achieves... and that she does it with such ease and relaxed swimming. It will be so fun to stand on a podium together now. It's actually incredibly fun."

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Back then it was more 'of course I'm going to take the gold,' but now I feel more like I've earned this. That I've truly swum my way to it.

Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk took the silver medal in the event.

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Where do I even start? It's so fun to have her with us, and the times she does... since she does it with that ease and relaxed swimming. It will be so fun to stand on a podium together now. It's actually incredibly fun.