He has trained Daniel Ståhl since 2011 and over the years he has also taken on Simon Pettersson and Fanny Roos, but now it is time for Vésteinn Hafsteinsson to write the next chapter in the book of his life.
The 62-year-old is abandoning the role of Swedish throwing coach for a mission as performance director for Iceland’s Olympic Committee.
– My actives are absolutely fantastic and there is no disagreement at all behind the decision. But really, it’s been going on for quite some time now. It is time to put an end to this part of my working life, to prioritize myself and my family, says Hafsteinsson in a press release.
His Swedish mentors Daniel Ståhl, Simon Pettersson and Fanny Roos received the message a week ago and the national team captain Kajsa Bergqvist was informed soon after.
Ståhl shocked by the news
Daniel Ståhl was shocked at first by the information, but now he looks to the future with confidence.
– It is of course very sad that Vésteinn is leaving, the idea was that we would invest together towards the Olympics in Paris. But at the same time it’s still quite natural, he’s worked with me for twelve years and now he’s decided to move back home to Iceland and start over. When he first told me, I was almost speechless, but the more he talked about it, the clearer it became. It’s great fun for Vésteinn, says Ståhl and continues:
– Now that it has sunk in, it feels more exciting and fun. Vésteinn has made us fully trained elite soldiers. I know exactly how to throw, what I need to develop and what I need to train. Now I’m going out for the first time to look for a trainer and I’m not worried at all.
Simon Pettersson:
– It was a small surprise, I wasn’t really prepared for it to happen now, maybe, but it feels like the ball is rolling and I should probably be able to find a good solution anyway, as it feels, Pettersson told SVT Sport.
How much has he meant to your career?
– He has been the pillar of the whole investment really. I am very grateful for the years I got to train under him. It’s been very educational and I probably wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for him, so I’m very grateful for what I’ve received.
