A long and less successful season for Angelica Bengtsson ended with coming in 13th place in the Olympic final a month ago.
During a year where she struggled with back problems and broke with her coach Peter Widén, she has jumped a maximum of 4.66 meters – 14 centimeters from her personal record outdoors – and now the future is uncertain.
– I’m mentally tired after the Olympics. It was a discharge and it got even bigger because it was for five years instead of four that you charged before it. I chose to take a holiday, says Bengtsson.
DN gets a chat with the 28-year-old pole vaulter at Stockholm Stadium at the same time as the competitions in Finnkampen are in full swing. She is completely injury-free, she assures, but not a bit eager to participate.
– It’s great fun to watch and nice to not have to strain. I have been there many times when you have come here after competing the day before, taken three different flights and slept two hours. So it is very nice to come here without having to make an effort.
– Angelica Bengtsson managed the entry height of 4.50 in the Olympic final in Tokyo but then tore herself out at 4.70.
Photo: Vegard Wivestad Grøtt / Bildbyrån
How has the time after the Olympics been?
– Nice. My sister has had weddings and I have hung out a lot with the family.
When did you decide to end the season and what was the turning point?
– I had intended to run the Swedish Championships, but I took a break from training after the Olympics and then I thought it was so nice so I continued with it.
Angelica Bengtsson continues:
– I did not feel that I had anything more I missed during the season. I really tried at the Olympics and gave my all but then the energy ran out. I did not feel revenge but I was satisfied.
She has the future not started thinking at all. At the moment, the focus is on resting from sports and focusing on studies at Linnaeus University.
– First I take a holiday and now school has started. Then I will investigate what options I have, but so far it is still on the desk if you say so.
How do you see the next season?
– I’m not there mentally yet. I have vacation.