Erik Erlandsson, the rising star of Swedish sprinting, is preparing for a busy and promising 2025 season. Despite the absence of his favored 200-meter event from the upcoming European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands, Erlandsson remains undeterred, focusing on achieving top speeds in other indoor competitions. He views the differing event schedules between indoor and outdoor championships as a natural part of the sport and is eager to utilize other indoor meets to hone his skills. His recent record-breaking performance in Växjö, where he shattered Johan Wissman’s 20-year-old indoor 200-meter record, has significantly boosted his confidence. This achievement, recognized with the ”Breakthrough of the Year” award at the Swedish Athletics Gala, sets a positive tone for the season ahead.
While Erlandsson acknowledges the importance of indoor competitions, his primary focus lies on the outdoor season, culminating in the U23 European Championships in Bergen, Norway, and the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. His ambitions extend to surpassing Wissman’s 17-year-old Swedish outdoor record of 20.30 seconds in the 200-meter sprint. Erlandsson recognizes the need to improve his start and acceleration in the first 100 meters, specifically between the 30 and 80-meter marks, as key to achieving this goal. He believes optimizing this phase of his race will unlock greater speed and potentially lead to a new national record.
Reflecting on his experiences in 2024, Erlandsson expresses immense satisfaction with his progress. His journey included a memorable appearance at the European Championships where, amidst controversial circumstances involving tied times and protests, he secured a spot in the final, ultimately finishing a commendable fourth, just a tenth of a second away from a medal. This performance paved the way for his Olympic debut in Paris, where he further solidified his potential by setting a new personal best of 20.49 seconds in the repechage round. Although he did not advance beyond the semifinals, the experience proved invaluable, providing crucial lessons and insights that he plans to leverage in the current season.
Erlandsson’s performance in the 2024 European Championships stands out as a testament to his resilience and competitive spirit. Initially, his semifinal time of 20.52 seconds, identical to that of Czech sprinter Tomáš Nemejc, placed him on the cusp of qualification for the final. The situation created uncertainty as to whether the final field would be expanded to nine runners or if a tie-breaker would be implemented. Following a period of deliberations and appeals, the decision was made to include both Erlandsson and Nemejc, granting the young Swede the opportunity to compete for a medal on the European stage. In the final, he demonstrated his prowess by finishing fourth, narrowly missing the podium.
The Olympic Games in Paris represented another significant milestone for Erlandsson. Competing against the world’s best sprinters, he showcased his talent by achieving a personal best time of 20.49 seconds in the repechage, allowing him to progress further in the competition. While his Olympic journey concluded in the semifinals, the experience of competing at the highest level of the sport added invaluable knowledge and bolstered his confidence for future endeavors. He identifies the lessons learned from both the European Championships and the Olympics as crucial for his development and anticipates utilizing them to improve his performance in the 2025 season and beyond.
As the 2025 season gets underway, Erlandsson is preparing to compete in Ostrava, Czech Republic, a stepping stone toward his primary goals: the U23 European Championships and the World Championships. His recent indoor record, coupled with his experience gained in the 2024 championships, positions him as a strong contender in both competitions. His focus on refining his start in the 200-meter sprint suggests a determined effort to push his limits and challenge existing records. With his eyes set on achieving international success, Erlandsson embarks on the 2025 season with renewed focus and a drive to etch his name among the elite sprinters of his generation. His journey, marked by both triumphs and near misses, reflects the dedication and perseverance required to excel in the demanding world of professional athletics.
