Updated 00.18 | Published 00.00
Therese Alshammar, 48, has many fond memories of her time with Hans Chrunak.
She mourns her national team captain.
– After championships, you always had to throw him in the pool, says Alshammar.
Hans Chrunak has died after a long illness.
He was the federal captain of the national swimming team between 1991 and 2000, but he crossed over Therese Alshammars road earlier than that.
Alshammar, who is one of the world’s most successful swimmers ever, competed for Helsingborg’s swimming club when Chrunak was club manager there.
– He was a huge cog in the club and then he was the national team captain for many years. He was a hugely important person for my career and for Swedish swimming. He put swimming much more on the map in the orphanage, because he talked about swimming in a good way. The media liked him and he was very authentic. He said what he thought, says Alshammar.
Chrunak was important for the Swedish ladies.
– The girls’ team was fantastic for many years under his leadership and I think he was good at making sure everyone felt seen. He tried to do the best for everyone so that they wanted to be involved and so that they were given the conditions to invest, says Alshammar.
Was an expert in SVT
Alshammar also pays tribute to Chrunak’s efforts as a TV expert in SVT.
– It is important that people who know the sport and can talk about it in a good way sit there so that people hear it, says Alshammar.
What was his greatness as a commentator?
– I think it was the same thing there – his personality. He was honest, straight to the point and had no hidden agenda. He was very open and honest in his manner. A nice person who was fun to be around.
Chrunak had a temper.
– But in a very good way. Up and down, but he always wanted to move forward. I think it’s a great quality, says Alshammar.
Do you have a particularly fond memory of him that comes to mind immediately?
– God, I have so many. Before, people were a little better at celebrating and I remember that he often threw himself into the water. After championships, you always had to throw him in the pool.
– It was lucky that he could swim by himself.
Karlsson: “See us girls”
Louise Karlsson, 52, also subscribed to gold medals in international championships during Chrunak’s time as national team captain.
Karlsson signs Instagram that she has difficulty putting into words what Chrunak meant to Swedish swimming.
“Hans saw us girls. He gave us space, confidence and opportunities at a time when it was not always obvious. He paved the way for us and helped us blossom, both as athletes and people. Much of what I got to experience in my swimming career would not have been possible without his commitment, drive and belief in us”writes Karlsson.
She remembers Chrunak as a leader with a big heart, clear vision and an ability to make people grow.
“Today I feel enormous gratitude for having had him in my life, but also great sadness that he is no longer here”writes Karlsson.
Hans Chrunak was 77 years old.
