As the lights go up on Stockholm\u2019s 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\u2014but to chase history. <\/p>\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n
In that race, American sensation Nico Young stormed to a 12:45.27 victory, while Britain’s George Mills\u2014Almgren\u2019s friend and rival\u2014placed fourth in a European-leading 12:46.59. The Swede watched the race closely and drew lessons from it. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cFor 5k you always need to push it between 3k and 4k,\u201d Almgren said, reflecting on the Oslo fireworks. \u201cThat showed it: if you slow down there, it\u2019s hard to run really fast. But it was very impressive. And obviously, like George, who\u2019s a friend of mine\u2014it was a very big power move from him in the last k. I\u2019m very happy for him, and it\u2019s inspiring.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
The level of competition in distance running has shifted dramatically in recent years, Almgren noted. \u201cLike, 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\u2019m positive that we\u2019re going do a good race\u2014and hopefully run very fast.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n
That time made him one of the fastest Europeans in history and signalled his arrival among the sport\u2019s elite. He also holds the Swedish 3000m record of 7:34.28, set at this very meet last year. <\/p>\n\n
Now, with Spain\u2019s Mohamed Katir\u2019s European record of 12:45.01 in view\u2014and Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker in the field\u2014Almgren is aiming higher than ever.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cYou can never promise records,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I\u2019ve had the best preparation so far in my career. This year, I\u2019m feeling way better in training now than I did last year. So, I hope to run fast tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Sunday will mark a rare convergence of form, fitness, and familiarity for Almgren. The Stockholm stadium is more than a venue\u2014it\u2019s home. \u201cThe first time I raced at the Olympic Stadium, I was like 11 years old,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve lived here my entire life. <\/p>\n\n
\u201dSo it\u2019s very nice to have your home crowd, your family and friends at the stadium. One of my favorite places to race for sure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
With the sport\u2019s spotlight fixed on Scandinavia this week, Almgren has the chance to carve his name even deeper into European distance running history\u2014this time, on home soil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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