Sara Wedlund

Sara Wedlund was a Swedish track and field athlete who specialised in long-distance and cross-country running and won a European title, along with several medals at the national championships. Wedlund won silver in the 1,500 metres at the Swedish championships in 1995 before she moved up to compete at longer distances. This paid off for her, as she won three individual titles the following year with gold in the 5,000 metres and 4km cross-country race in Sweden, and gold at the European Cross Country Championships in Charleroi, Belgium. The same year Wedlund ran in the 5,000 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where she finished 11th. Sadly due to injury and anorexia her career was cut short and she was forced to retire in 1998. During her career she was bestowed with the Victoria Award in 1996 for the best sportsperson in Sweden. Wedlund died young at the age of 45 in June 2021.

Personal Best: 5000 – 15:06.49i (1996).