Courtesy of WOWSA, Vansbro, Sweden. The Vansbrosimningen is an annual 3 km river swim, started in 1950, between two rivers in Vansbro in central Sweden with over 7,000 participants in various categories.
One of the participants is Anders Olsson, who has participated in the Vansbrosimningen seven times.
Ollson once placed 9th out of 3000+ non-handicapped men.
He is a remarkably inspirational individual whose life is told in a book by journalist Eva Wiklund called ’Det finns ingen gräns’, literally 'There is no limit' in English. The book is currently published in Swedish and Dutch.
What is remarkable about Olsson is that he became paralyzed in 1997, he lost 50% of his lung capacity, became bedridden for 5 years and became addicted to morphine due to the pain. In 2002, he turned his energies to sports and became a Paralympic gold medalist in 2004 (and 2008) with 9 current world records. Earlier this year, he was chosen as Sweden’s Disabled Sportsman of the Year (seen here).
Olsson trains in pools and, during the summer, in a lake and a river in Hagfors (between Stockholm and Oslo) where he lives. Training greatly helps him with pain management whereby he can live without having to take morphine and pain killers. According to Olsson, 'training is his rehabilitation.'
During his road to recovery, Olsson has learned to 'be on the lookout for opportunities instead of focusing on what you cannot do.'
Wonderful words to live by.
Photos from Anders Olsson’s website. English information on the Vansbrosimningen is here. Copyright © 2008 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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