The Olympic super sprinter is coming back to Stockholm Stadium

After his monster run at the Stockholm Stadium in 2020, where he was literally stumbling close to setting a new world record, the wind-fast Norwegian has not competed in Stockholm. But now the two-time world champion is coming back again.

- BAUHAUS-galan and the Diamond League in Stockholm will be an important competition for me before the World Championships in August, says Karsten Warholm.

It was August 2020 that the Norwegian world record holder Karsten Warholm struck with a real super race in the 400 m hurdles at BAUHAUS-galan, just nine hundredths off the world record. The time 46.87 meant a new European record and a stadium record at Stockholms Stadion, where he clearly likes to compete.

- I'm really looking forward to competing at Stockholms Stadion again. There are always a lot of people who create a nice atmosphere and I feel very comfortable there, says Warholm to BAUHAUS-galan.

Karsten Warholm is one of the big names in the world of athletics, and through his enormous performance during the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021, he won the hearts of many Swedes.

On site at the National Stadium in Tokyo, the Norwegian struck with the world record time of 45.94 and was then also able to title himself an Olympic gold medalist. After an injury last year in which he fought his way back to the World Championships in Eugene, he had to be content with an European Championship gold in Munich. But now a new outdoor season awaits and Warholm feels better prepared than in a long time.

- I have trained well all winter and I think that I have prepared as well as possible for 2023. I am looking forward to getting started with the competition, concludes Warholm.

Bengtström challenges Warholm at the BAUHAUS gala

Carl Bengtström is fast. He showed that at the indoor European Championship in Istanbul last winter when he made it to the final in the 400 meter flat, where he met Karsten Warholm. He tried to challenge but it wasn't quite enough. However, he again took a medal and finished third. Last year he also won bronze at the Indoor WC in Budapest. We had a chat with Carl Bengtström, who got a place at the BAUHAUS gala 400 meter hurdles.

You will meet Karsten Warholm at the Stadium. How do you see your chances of winning over him?

- Karsten is the best in the world of all time. Beating him at the Stadion will be tough. But I see it as an inspiration. Make it an advantage. The goal is to push him. It will be fun to meet him, says Carl Bengström.

When do you think you would have a chance against him. How long will it take you to beat him?

- My goal is to beat him in the future. I want to challenge him and pass. I need to get all the parts. Above all, the rhythm in hurdles. Must get more security in the branch. The speed is pretty good, but I probably need to get a little faster anyway. Karsten is very fast

What is your big goal going forward?

- The 2028 Olympics is my big goal. There I shall be at my best. We'll see if he keeps going until then.

What does the arrangement look like for the summer?

- I will compete intensively in June until the BAUHAUS gala. Then it will be a little more chill with the competition and with a focus on the WC. I'm going to load up for the WC. Aim to make it to the final there. In a final anything can happen. But I'm happy as long as I set a personal record.

Are you going to compete in some Diamond League competitions before Stockholm?

- I am competing in Oslo at the Diamond League on June 15.

How much do different tracks affect the ability to run fast?

- There are 8 courses around, so you don't think too much about it. You can feel a big difference in the material, for example if it is soft. I like hard courses. I like to be in the middle, on the middle lane or a little further out, lane 6-7. The dream track is track 6, concludes Carl Bengtström.

Last year, Carl Bengström finished fifth at the Diamond League competitions at Stockholms Stadion. Carl set his personal record (48.52) at the Diamond League competitions in Eugene 2022. The Swedish record is still held by Sven Nylander, who ran 47.96 when he was fourth at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.