– This is not an easy choice for me. I’ve spent a year after Tokyo feeling the feeling of surrender. After Tokyo, I continued my studies in Bergen and the time and motivation needed to improve internationally is not that strong after all these years, says Sarah Louise.

– I’m relieved to say it out loud, but also sad and with mixed feelings because swimming means a lot to me. I have achieved what I wanted in the pool and I want a professional career after the sport.

Sarah Louise studied nutrition in Bergen and continued her master’s studies in clinical nutrition. He is interested in health and nutrition through sports after working with health equipment for many years. Education provided Sarah Louise with opportunities to work in the public and private sectors, as well as in sports.

Players who create value in the national team

Sarah Louise is the most successful athlete to ever swim in Norway and one of the most successful para-athletes in Norway. In the national team, apart from her fantastic results, Sarah Louise has distinguished herself as a carrier of culture and a creator of values. An invaluable contribution according to national team manager Petter Løvberg.

– In the national team, we are one team. We are not divided by the para-national team separately. We are the national swimming team. Sarah has been leading the way in terms of training culture. He has been training relentlessly at the same level as the able-bodied, so he has become a role model for the values ​​and training culture that the Swimming Association wants to maintain, said the national team manager.

– To create a performance culture, you must create a culture of exceptionally good training and good values ​​and attitudes within the group. Sarah, with her results and willingness to train as much as anyone else, has taken the lead in this regard. It’s hard for an able-bodied athlete to whine at the sight of Sarah coming to training every day smiling and full of energy. And on top of that, he works out as much or more than most people.

A decade of harvesting medals out of the ordinary

2009 to 2021 will forever be one of the best decades in Norwegian para-swimming. In this period, Sarah Louise won 53 out of a total of 87 Norwegian championship medals. It was something no one had done before and earned him his standing as one of Norway’s most successful athletes, regardless of sport. One person who accompanied her throughout the journey was Sarah Louise’s trainer, Morten Eklund.

– I have every special person who is allowed to be part of the apparatus around Sarah. I’ve been part of a fantastic journey where we have grown together as coaches/athletes and as people. Para-Norwegian sport also developed in this period and became more professional. Sarah has become one profile and is constantly breaking new boundaries. He has been an excellent ambassador for all of Norwegian sport, which the Swedish Swimming Association can be proud of, says Morten Eklund.

The journey towards the goal has become a driving force

The medal cabinet speaks for itself, and there’s no doubt that Sarah Louise has worked hard to earn her services. He is also proud of his achievements, but it is not just medals that he would look back on with pleasure.

– Swimming has been a big part of my life for many years. For me, sport is more than achievements and a journey towards a goal that is a driving force for me. I want to look back on the journey and the relationships I’ve made, more than the accomplishments. Therefore, I also want to thank everyone who has been with me on the road. Coaches, support staff and swimming colleagues who have contributed to my fantastic career, said Sarah Louise.

Although Sarah Louise has now chosen to end her swimming career, the national team manager wants her to stay in the environment and contribute her skills in a new role.

– Sarah never chose the easy way and that’s why now we can look back at the results she has achieved. I have spoken to Sarah about possibly using her in a new role at NSF. The combination of his education and background as an elite athlete can inspire and create great value for our athletes. So I see great opportunity in continuing collaboration with him, says Petter Løvberg.

Selected highlights of Sarah Louise Rung’s swimming career:

53 championship medals

– 12 WC gold, 13 EC gold and nine Para-Olympic medals

Nine Paralympic medals from the 2012 and 2016 Olympics

– Four gold, three silver, two bronze

Named “Women’s athlete of the year” at Sports Gala 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

Voted “Model of the year” at the 2015 Sports Gala