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| Swedish superstar Carolina Klüft is one of the ambassadors of the 2011 SPAR European Team Championships to be held in Stockholm on 18-19 June. |
Swedish legends Carolina Klüft, Christian Olsson and long jumper Michel Tornéus have been chosen as the ambassadors of the 2011 SPAR European Team Championships to be held in Stockholm on 18-19 June.
Klüft and Olsson have been the flag bearers of a golden generation of Swedish athletes and dominated their respective events for over a decade while Tornéus is among the crop of promising Swedish athletes today.
The trio won’t just be the ambassadors but will also turn out in Swedish colours at one of the premier team events in the world.
Sweden regained its position among the top 12 teams in Europe after finishing second at the European Team Championships – First League in Budapest last year.
Klüft, who has an Olympic gold, three World Championships titles, two European titles and the junior heptathlon world record to her name and had decided to opt out of her favourite event last year, is expected to compete in the long jump and 4X100m relay.
“The Team Championships is a great event! It’s up to the team to succeed. To be able to compete at home, in Stockholm, inspires us all,” said an excited Kluft.
Former Olympic and world triple jump champion Christian Olsson echoed the sentiments of his compatriot and said: “We are all very excited to have Sweden back in the highest athletic division, competing with and against the best athletes in Europe. Imagine the thrill to actually do it in Stockholm and in front of the home crowd.”
Local boy Tornéus, who made it to the long jump finals at both 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona and European Athletics Indoor Championships in Paris earlier this year, is also eager to compete in his hometown and is looking forward to the event.
“I am a native of Stockholm and I am looking forward to compete where the home crowd is. It will be fun and I expect to do my best,” he said.
Swedish Athletics, in co-operation with the Stadium Clubs and the City of Stockholm, is organising the premier European Athletics event.
For more information please visit the event website www.stockholm2011.org