Swedish team in front of the Olympic arena

Last weekend representatives from the Swedish Olympic Committee with teams visited London, to prepare for the Olympic Games next summer. And we are proud to be able to present some pictures from their visit!

Some 15 countries were invited to compete in fencing and boxing. The boxer Anthony Yigit was the only athlete competing from Sweden. He made it all the way to the final but lost against a boxer from the host nation (UK), by15-14.

The ladies boxing- and fencing teams flew in over the weekend too, to capture the London atmosphere and prepare mentally for next summer.   

The Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK) is encouraging all Swedish athletes to visit London before the games, to familiarise with the location in which they will possibly be competing, and the Olympic village where they will be staying.  The intention is also to make sure the athletes have some time to visit attractions, go sightseeing, to get a feel for the city and just be a “tourist” for a day. By doing this, they can focus solely on their sports performance when it’s time for the Olympics.

The girls took the chance to visit Madame Tussauds one day and got to meet the legend within boxing, Mohammed Ali and Swedish boxing lady Anna Laurell even got a “date” with George Clooney.

Shopping was also on top of the agenda but the girls also supported Anthony and attended all his matches until the final.

The team found the London visit very inspiring and useful in preparing for the tough and challenging year ahead. Many of the Swedish athletes will not know if they have qualified to the Olympics until a matter of weeks before the opening ceremony!

For the ladies boxing team, the World Cup in May 2012 that will be the qualifying game. For the ladies fencing team, it has already started but there are still 4 more tournaments to go before we will know who will be qualified for London 2012.

We wish them best of luck and hope to see them back in London next summer!

-Helene-