Friday, August 29, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Sweden wins eleven medals at Paris 2024 Olympics

Published 13 August 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Sjöström and Mondo delivered.
4 minute read

With a total of eleven medals, including four gold, four silver and three bronze, Sweden is making a strong and solid impression at this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris. The Swedish athletes have not only lived up to expectations, but in many cases have exceeded them with unexpected and somewhat historic performances.

The Summer Olympics in Paris were a success for the host country, France. In terms of both performance and attendance, this year’s games have been a huge success, despite some initial gnashing of teeth and skepticism from the local population.

For Sweden, many were convinced that Armand Duplantis and Sarah Sjöström would be the focus of this year’s Olympics, but behind the scenes the table tennis masters wanted something different.

One of the most remarkable performances came from Truls Möregårdh, who won a sensational silver medal in the table tennis singles tournament. Möregårdh, who was considered a long shot before the tournament, defeated some of the world’s best players on his way to the final.

He also helped his teammates Kristian Karlsson and Anton Källberg to a silver medal in the team competition. This success marks Sweden’s first Olympic medals in table tennis since 2000, making their efforts particularly memorable.

King Duplantis

In the world of athletics, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis continued to make history by not only defending his Olympic gold medal in the pole vault – something that had only happened once before (Bob Richards; 1952/1956) – but also setting a new world record with an incredible 6.25.

Already one of the most celebrated Swedish athletes of modern times, Duplantis added to his status with this incredible feat.

Sarah Sjöström was once again at the top of her game when it mattered most. With gold medals in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, she once again proved why she is one of the world’s best swimmers.

Sjöström also made history by becoming the first Swedish swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals at the same championships, further cementing her legendary status.

Not to be outdone, beach volleyball players David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig saved the best for last. After a shaky start to the tournament, they stepped up their game in the playoffs.

The duo dominated the final and delivered a performance that no Swedish volleyball player had ever achieved before. Their triumph on the sand is a milestone that puts Swedish beach volleyball on the international map.

Sweden’s best Olympics since 2000

Sweden has won a total of eleven medals at the Olympic Games in Paris – the best result at a Summer Olympics since Sydney 2000.

The eleven medals reflect excellent performances by outstanding athletes such as Victor Lindgren, shooting (silver), Rebecca Netzler/Vilma Bobeck, sailing, 49er FX (silver), Jenny Rissved, mountain biking (bronze) and Tara Babulfath’s bronze in judo.

Together with the above-mentioned gold medals, it is fair to say that Sweden is one of the most successful nations at this year’s Olympics. Sweden finishes in a fine sixteenth place, which is the best result since Los Angeles in 1984.

This puts Sweden ahead of all our Nordic neighbors such as Norway (18th), Denmark (29th) and Finland, who did not win any medals.

USA and China lead the way

The three countries that have won the most gold medals at the 2024 Olympics are the United States (40 gold medals), China (40) and Japan (20).

The USA (126 in total) has continued its dominance with particular success in athletics and swimming, while China (91) has excelled in events such as table tennis, gymnastics and weightlifting. Japan (45), which has had a strong medal presence since the Tokyo Olympics, has continued to lead the way in judo and wrestling to secure its place among the most successful nations.

Host nation France has put in a strong effort with several impressive performances, especially in its traditionally strong sports such as judo and fencing. French athletes have shown a high level of competitiveness at home, resulting in a significant medal haul of 64, including 16 golds.

In addition, the organizers managed to deliver a well-organized and memorable Games, despite the high expectations and challenges of being the host nation. At the same time, the Paris Olympics were not without controversy, from the much-criticized Opening Ceremony to women’s boxing, where sometimes heated debates about hormone levels and gender identity enraged many.

Ethan Hunt wraps it up

The icing on the cake was provided by none other than Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise), who, in true Mission: Impossible spirit, took the Olympic flag from Paris to the 2028 venue of Los Angeles.

Cruise is a renowned sports enthusiast and the combination of M:I and the Olympics is a stroke of genius, just as when James Bond 007, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, opened the London 2012 Summer Games, Cruise brought the 2024 Summer Olympics to a magnificent and action-packed close.

Unlike the much-criticized opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was a dignified affair, generally free of any political messages. Not least, the tribute to the thousands of volunteers who made the complicated arrangements possible was a fine and appreciated gesture.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in four years. Hopefully with new Swedish successes in the trophy cabinet.

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Male NFL cheerleaders spark reactions

Published 19 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The Minnesota Vikings welcome Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn to their cheerleading squad.
2 minute read

The NFL team Minnesota Vikings has for the first time selected male cheerleaders for its regular squad. Their debut during the weekend’s game quickly led to both criticism and praise on social media.

It was during the game against Las Vegas Raiders that Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn performed on the field for the first time together with the team’s other cheerleaders.

The phenomenon of male cheerleaders is not entirely unique, however. Twelve of the league’s 32 teams currently have male members in their cheerleading squads, which represents just over a third of the teams.

Previously, men have been present in NFL cheerleading activities primarily as so-called “lifters” or stuntmen, a tradition that teams like the Baltimore Ravens introduced as early as 1998.

Starting in 2018, several teams have gone further to also include male dancers in their squads. This marked a departure from the previous arrangement where dance roles were reserved exclusively for women.

Minnesota Vikings is now one of the teams that allows men to be integrated directly into the traditional cheerleader group. The two new members, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, are part of the squad on the same terms as the other cheerleaders.

Reactions have been mixed. Critical posts have spread on social media, but the team emphasizes that the audition process is open to everyone and that male cheerleaders are not something new within the league.

The question of male cheerleaders has repeatedly sparked debate in the United States, where some highlight inclusion and diversity while others argue that traditional elements of the sport are being changed.

Facts: Male cheerleaders in the NFL

  • First in the league: Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints in 2018.
  • Number of teams in 2025: Twelve of 32 NFL teams have male cheerleaders.
  • Different roles:
    – Lifters/stuntmen – for example with the Baltimore Ravens since 1998.
    – Dancers – introduced in 2018 by the Rams and Saints.
    – Integrated cheerleaders – men in regular squads, for example with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ten-year-old makes chess history

Published 18 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Indian player Bodhana Sivanandan defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells.
1 minute read

Ten-year-old Indian Bodhana Sivanandan has won the title “Woman International Master” in chess. She is the youngest person ever to win the title and to defeat a grandmaster.

Bodhana, who is a British citizen and lives in London, began playing chess during the coronavirus crisis when she was only five years old.

When it was 2020, it was Covid, so one of my dad’s friends was going back to India, and he had a few toys and books, and he gave them to us, Bodhana tells BBC. In one of the bags, I saw a chessboard, and I was interested in the pieces.

She began playing with the pieces, but her father explained that you could also play games with them. From the beginning, the girl showed talent for the game, something her father was amazed by since no one else in the family was particularly good at chess.

Defeated grandmaster

During the British championships, she defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells, making her the youngest chess player ever to defeat a grandmaster. The previous record was held by American Carissa Yip, who achieved it in 2019.

With her victory against Wells, she also earned the title “Woman International Master” (WIM), which is the second-highest title for female chess players after Woman Grandmaster, which is the highest.

Bodhana says that chess makes her feel good and helps her with “many other things, like math and counting”. The ten-year-old’s goal is to become a grandmaster.

Duplantis breaks world record yet again

Published 13 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
It has now been over two years since Duplantis last lost a competition.
1 minute read

Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has set a new world record in pole vault. It is the athletics star’s 13th world record.

During this week’s Continental Tour in Budapest, Hungary, the 25-year-old first jumped 6.11 meters and thereby secured victory ahead of Emmanouil Karalis, who cleared 6.02 meters. This marks Duplantis’ 32nd consecutive competition victory – it has now been over two years since he last lost.

On his second attempt, he raised the bar to 6.29 meters and cleared the height, which became his new world record.

I knew I had a good chance when I went over. But I hit it pretty hard too. Just tried to stay cool. I’m glad it stayed up, Duplantis tells Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Earlier this year, he broke not just one, but two world records. In March, he jumped 6.27 meters at the All Star Perche in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and then broke that new record on home soil in June with 6.28 meters.

Sweden launches leisure card subsidy for children’s activities

Published 11 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
All children between eight and 16 years old receive 500 kronor (approximately €45) per year to spend on a regular leisure activity.
1 minute read

Starting in September, the Leisure Card (Fritidskortet) can be used to partially fund children’s activities outside of school. The Swedish government hopes the initiative will encourage a more active lifestyle.

The Leisure Card is part of the Swedish government’s reform to promote children’s and young people’s participation in sports, culture, outdoor activities and community organizations. The card is used digitally by guardians, and all children between eight and 16 years old receive SEK 500 (€45) per year to spend on regular leisure activities. Families who received housing allowance last year instead get SEK 2,000 (€180) per child on the card.

As Minister for Social Affairs, I want to make life a little easier for people by creating good conditions for health and community. The Leisure Card is a reform that enables children and young people to have an active leisure time together with others. The family’s finances should not determine whether a child can participate in a leisure activity or not, said Swedish Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed last year.

The association or cultural school must be connected to the Leisure Card system for the subsidy to be valid. The money can also be used to rent equipment. By “regular” it means that the activity needs to take place at least six times during a six-month period.

Applications for the subsidy open on September 1.

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