Swedish Shot Putter: "We'd Attract More Sponsors If We Stripped Down"

Swedish shot putter Johansson, who set a personal best of 19.97 metres this season and currently ranks fifth in the world, has publicly criticised how sponsors treat athletes in her discipline. Her comments on the "sexualisation" of athletics have sparked a wide public debate.

"Despite winning bronze at the World Indoor Championships, not a single Swedish company has shown any interest in supporting me," the athlete said on Swedish broadcaster SVT.

Clothing as a sponsorship factor

According to Johansson, the lack of sponsor interest is directly tied to the clothing worn by athletes in her event: a shot put uniform requires noticeably more fabric than the skin-tight kit worn by sprinters. "Women in the media get sexualised, but at the same time it's a way to make money. If we competed half-naked, we'd have more sponsors," she said.

Public and peer reaction

After successfully advancing through qualification at the European Championships in Birmingham, the athlete spoke about the feedback she received following her candid interview. She said the responses were largely positive.

"Parents reached out to tell me I'm a good role model for their daughters. A lot of athletes also felt it was worth raising this topic publicly," Johansson noted. She added: "Plenty of people think the same way. Yes, I could have phrased it a bit more gently, but I stand firmly behind what I said."

The shot putter clarified that she isn't urging her fellow athletes to wear more revealing clothing — her point was broader: to start a conversation about the double standards in sports sponsorship. "It's simply much harder for throwers to find sponsors," she reiterated. Johansson went on to finish tenth in the final at the European Championships.

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz