Ståhl's European gold quest follows father's death

Olympic discus champion Daniel Ståhl is mourning the loss of his father Janne, who died from sepsis earlier this month, according to Swedish media. Ståhl told Dagens Nyheter that the situation escalated quickly, and described his father as a private man who avoided the public eye but shared his sense of humor.

Ståhl has said the European Championships in Birmingham in August is his main goal this season. According to reports, he has won all major titles except the European gold, his best continental result being a silver from Berlin 2018. He told Dagens Nyheter it would be iconic to hold all three titles simultaneously.

Janne Ståhl, as reported by Swedish media, worked as a policeman and was a strong athlete himself, with a hammer throw best of 59 meters and a deadlift over 300 kilograms. He was a proud supporter who rarely missed Daniel's competitions, only staying away during pandemic travel restrictions, according to media reports. Dagens Nyheter reported that a week before his death, Janne urged Daniel to work hard and win the European Championships. In an interview with SVT Nyheter, Daniel Ståhl said he cherishes only good memories of his father, who was present at almost all his competitions since the youth Finnkampen in 2008. He added that his father shaped him into who he is today and that he owes his career to him.

Ståhl told Dagens Nyheter that his season premiere is in Norrköping on May 3, which he uses as a warm-up for the Diamond League circuit starting in Shanghai on May 16. He has not competed since winning the world gold in Tokyo last September, according to reports. It remains unclear whether Ståhl plans to honor his father's memory in any specific way during his European Championships campaign.

Ståhl resides in Malmö with his partner, fellow athlete Fanny Roos, as reported. Speaking to SVT Nyheter, Roos remembered Janne as a kind and considerate man.