– We have worked very hard, but I have previously had difficulty getting it out in the long run. Today I got it, and it was really nice, says a happy Björn Seeliger.
In Friday morning’s practice, he had the 13th fastest time. In the semi-finals that evening, he swam in the second heat where he had lap one.
– I knew that on the outer courses you can do whatever you want because there are no waves. This means that it can be easier to swim quickly on them, says Björn Seeliger.
And swam quickly what exactly where did he do.
The semi-final time of 21.67 was a personal best – his previous was from 2021 – by four hundredths, and he shaved three tenths off Friday morning’s time trial.
– In the semifinals I was careful and made sure to keep my torso tight during the second 25. Something that can be difficult because I’m so tall, but I did better in the semis than in the trials, says the 202-centimeter-tall Seeliger.
When Seeliger came to the mixed zone, he did a few dance steps in pure joy, but at the same time he was quick to start looking towards the first World Cup final of his life.
On Saturday evening, the final of the 50 meter freestyle is decided, and suddenly a Swedish medal is within reach.
– As I said, it is my first final, and it is much more difficult to be in the middle. So I have to go in and be as relaxed as I was in the semis, Seeliger says of what lies ahead.
Seeliger’s semi-final time also meant that he passed the Olympic qualification limit for Paris with flying colors. The A qualification limit is 21.96.
