Lars Frölander

2.1. Childhood and Upbringing

Lars Arne Frölander was born on May 26, 1974, in Boden, a town located in Norrbotten County, Sweden. He spent his childhood and was raised in Ornäs, a locality situated within Borlänge Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden.

3.1. Olympic Participation

Frölander competed in an impressive six consecutive Summer Olympics, a testament to his enduring career and dedication to the sport.

• 1992 Barcelona Olympics:** Frölander made his Olympic debut at the age of 18 at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He was part of the Swedish men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay team, alongside Christer Wallin, Anders Holmertz, and Tommy Werner. The team delivered a strong performance, securing a silver medal, finishing second only to the Unified Team.
• 1996 Atlanta Olympics:** At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Frölander once again earned a silver medal in the men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay. This time, the Swedish team consisted of Wallin, Holmertz, Frölander, and Anders Lyrbring, with the United States claiming the gold. In individual events, he finished ninth in the heats of the 100 metre freestyle but opted not to compete in the B-final. He also placed 19th in the 100 metre butterfly.
• 2000 Sydney Olympics:** The pinnacle of his Olympic career arrived at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Frölander won the gold medal in the men's 100 metre butterfly event, marking his most significant individual achievement.
• 2004 Athens Olympics:** He continued his Olympic journey, competing in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
• 2008 Beijing Olympics:** Frölander participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
• 2012 London Olympics:** At the age of 38, Frölander competed in his sixth and final Olympic Games at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In the opening heats of the 100 metre butterfly, he posted a time of 52.47 s, which was less than one second slower than the top qualifier, Chad le Clos, but 0.12 s too slow to advance to the semifinals.

3.2. World and European Championships

Beyond his Olympic successes, Lars Frölander amassed a remarkable collection of medals at various World and European Championships, totaling 22 gold, 20 silver, and 15 bronze medals across these competitions.

• FINA World Aquatics Championships (Long Course):**
  • 1994 Rome:** Gold in the 4×200 metre freestyle relay; Silver in the 100 metre butterfly.
  • 1998 Perth:** Silver in the 100 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 100 metre freestyle.
  • 2001 Fukuoka:** Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 50 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 100 metre freestyle.
  • FINA World Swimming Championships (Short Course):**
    • 1993 Palma:** Gold in the 4×200 metre freestyle relay.
    • 1997 Gothenburg:** Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay; Silver in the 4×200 metre freestyle relay.
    • 1999 Hong Kong:** Gold in the 100 metre freestyle; Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 4×100 metre medley relay; Bronze in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
    • 2000 Athens:** Gold in the 100 metre freestyle; Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Gold in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
    • 2002 Moscow:** Silver in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
    • 2006 Shanghai:** Silver in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
    • 2008 Manchester:** Bronze in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
    • LEN European Aquatics Championships (Long Course):**
      • 1993 Sheffield:** Silver in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
      • 1995 Vienna:** Silver in the 4×200 metre freestyle relay; Bronze in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
      • 1997 Seville:** Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 100 metre freestyle.
      • 1999 Istanbul:** Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 100 metre freestyle; Bronze in the 50 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 4×100 metre medley relay.
      • 2000 Helsinki:** Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 50 metre butterfly; Silver in the 4×100 metre medley relay; Bronze in the 100 metre freestyle.
      • 2002 Berlin:** Silver in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay; Bronze in the 50 metre butterfly.
      • 2008 Eindhoven:** Bronze in the 4×100 metre medley relay.
      • 2010 Budapest:** Bronze in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay.
      • European Short Course Swimming Championships:**
        • 1998 Sheffield:** Gold in the 100 metre freestyle; Gold in the 4×50 metre medley relay; Silver in the 100 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 50 metre butterfly.
        • 1999 Lisbon:** Gold in the 4×50 metre freestyle relay; Gold in the 4×50 metre medley relay; Gold in the 50 metre butterfly; Gold in the 100 metre butterfly; Silver in the 100 metre freestyle.
        • 2000 Valencia:** Gold in the 4×50 metre freestyle relay; Silver in the 100 metre butterfly.
        • 2001 Antwerp:** Gold in the 50 metre butterfly; Silver in the 100 metre butterfly; Bronze in the 4×50 metre freestyle relay; Bronze in the 4×50 metre medley relay.
        • 2005 Trieste:** Gold in the 50 metre butterfly.

3.3. National Championships

Frölander achieved significant success at the Swedish National Long Course Championships. He was the Swedish National LC Champion for the men's 50 metre freestyle from 1997 to 1998. In the men's 100 metre freestyle, he claimed the national title from 1996 to 1998, again from 2000 to 2003, and once more in 2006. He was also the Swedish National LC Champion for the men's 50 metre butterfly in 1998 and held the title consistently from 2000 to 2007.

3.4. Peak Performance and World Records

The highlight of Frölander's career was his gold medal victory in the 100 metre butterfly at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. This achievement followed a period of exceptional performance where he twice broke the world record in the men's 100 metre butterfly (short course) just a few months prior to the Sydney Games. These record-breaking swims underscored his dominance in the event leading up to his Olympic triumph, holding the world record from March 16, 2000, to December 14, 2001.

3.5. Later Career and Comeback

After his Olympic victory in 2000, Frölander experienced a temporary break from his peak performance. However, he made a notable comeback, demonstrating remarkable resilience and dedication. His resurgence was highlighted by winning a gold medal in the 50 metre butterfly at the 2005 European Short Course Swimming Championships in Trieste. This victory marked a significant return to form. He continued to compete at an elite level for several more years, ultimately participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics at the age of 38, a testament to his longevity and enduring commitment to the sport.

3.6. Clubs and Training

Throughout his extensive career, Lars Frölander was affiliated with several swimming clubs and received training from notable coaches. He swam for Borlänge SS and later joined Sundsvalls SS from 1996 to 2001. From 2001 onwards, he was a member of Linköpings ASS. During his collegiate years, from 1996 to 1998, he was part of the Southern Methodist University team, known as the SMU Mustangs. He was coached by Eddie Sinnott at Southern Methodist University.

4.1. Long Course (50m)

His personal best times achieved in 50-meter pools are as follows:

Notes: (h) indicates the time was achieved in the heats; NR indicates a Swedish national record.

4.2. Short Course (25m)

His personal best times achieved in 25-meter pools are as follows:

Notes: (r) indicates the time was achieved as the first leg of a relay; NR indicates a Swedish national record.

5.1. Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal

In recognition of his exceptional performance at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he secured a gold medal in the 100 metre butterfly, Frölander was awarded the prestigious Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal in 2000. This annual award, presented by the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, recognizes the most significant Swedish sport achievement of the year, underscoring the national importance of his Olympic victory.