Teller Report

Lisa Gunnarsson takes another sabbatical – misses the Olympics

11/30/2023, 12:28:15 PM

Highlights: Sweden's pole vaulter Lisa Gunnarsson will miss the 2024 Olympic season entirely. Gunnarsson has not competed since the European Championships in Munich in August 2022. She may make an effort to get back to 2025 if the pieces fall into place, even if it's not a priority now. "We'll see! If the glow is there and your back feels good. I'm going to finish my master's first. That's priority number 1 right now," she says.

Injury-plagued pole vaulter Lisa Gunnarsson will miss another year of competition and will miss the 2024 Olympic season entirely. "It was a very difficult decision," Gunnarsson says.


It is mainly problems with his back that make the 24-year-old retire next season. The study situation in California also plays a role.

"First of all, I've had a lot of back problems that don't seem to want to go away. It has also been difficult to balance studies with sports here at Stanford. I don't have the same resources here as before," Gunnarsson told the Swedish Athletics Federation.

Sweden's all-time third

After all, it was a difficult decision to make as a 24-year-old, Sweden's all-time third at 4.65, to sit out yet another season. She has not competed since the European Championships in Munich in August 2022.

"Yes, a very difficult decision. I tried to make it work because I know how much fun it is to compete.

She may make an effort to get back to 2025 if the pieces fall into place, even if it's not a priority now.

"We'll see! If the glow is there and your back feels good. I'm going to finish my master's first. That's priority number 1 right now," says Gunnarsson.