English
Swedish
As the lights go up on Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium this Sunday for the BAUHAUS-galan, all eyes in Swedish athletics will be on Andreas Almgren. The 30-year-old 5000m record holder returns to his home track not just to compete—but to chase history.
Three days after one of the fastest 5000m races ever run on European soil at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Almgren is hoping to ride the momentum of a record-setting week in distance running.
In that race, American sensation Nico Young stormed to a 12:45.27 victory, while Britain’s George Mills—Almgren’s friend and rival—placed fourth in a European-leading 12:46.59. The Swede watched the race closely and drew lessons from it.
“For 5k you always need to push it between 3k and 4k,” Almgren said, reflecting on the Oslo fireworks. “That showed it: if you slow down there, it’s hard to run really fast. But it was very impressive. And obviously, like George, who’s a friend of mine—it was a very big power move from him in the last k. I’m very happy for him, and it’s inspiring.”
The level of competition in distance running has shifted dramatically in recent years, Almgren noted. “Like, 10 years ago, it was rare to get a sub-13 time. Now, sub-12:50 is standard. But I feel confident for tomorrow. I’m positive that we’re going do a good race—and hopefully run very fast.”
Almgren knows a thing or two about fast. He enters the Stockholm Diamond League meeting as the Swedish record holder over 5000m, courtesy of a stunning 12:50.94 run in Oslo last summer.
That time made him one of the fastest Europeans in history and signalled his arrival among the sport’s elite. He also holds the Swedish 3000m record of 7:34.28, set at this very meet last year.
Now, with Spain’s Mohamed Katir’s European record of 12:45.01 in view—and Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker in the field—Almgren is aiming higher than ever.
“You can never promise records,” he said, “but I’ve had the best preparation so far in my career. This year, I’m feeling way better in training now than I did last year. So, I hope to run fast tomorrow.”
Sunday will mark a rare convergence of form, fitness, and familiarity for Almgren. The Stockholm stadium is more than a venue—it’s home. “The first time I raced at the Olympic Stadium, I was like 11 years old,” he said. “I’ve lived here my entire life.
”So it’s very nice to have your home crowd, your family and friends at the stadium. One of my favorite places to race for sure.”
With the sport’s spotlight fixed on Scandinavia this week, Almgren has the chance to carve his name even deeper into European distance running history—this time, on home soil.
