It is a first for Swedish top sport: on Saturday evening, handball player Loui Sand made his debut in the men’s Eredivisie, five years after the Olympic debut as Louise with the Swedish top handball players. ‘Historic’, Swedish newspapers headlined yesterday. And Sand was also in seventh heaven. “I’m so damn grateful and happy for what happened on Saturday.”
Until 2018, Loui went through life as Louise. Sand was a top player with the Swedes, participated in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, played with multiple champion IK Sävehof in the Champions League and played for the French Fleury. She handed in her contract there in 2018, after which the corner player entered a transition process. That led from Louise to Loui.
His debut in the Swedish Eredivisie followed on Saturday evening with Kärra HF in the away match at Märsta. It turned out to be a gala evening for the 1.64 meter tall Sand. “I’m really damn grateful and happy with what happened on Saturday,” Sand wrote on his Instagram account.
‘I’m really having a hard time reviewing everything from the past few years. Everything has yet to affect me. That will take a while. But my feeling is great. I now hope that more transgender people dare to exercise, because the more we are seen like this, the more normal it becomes. Ultimately, I hope we get a common place in society, just like everyone else has.”
Yesterday, Sand deliberately referred to his origin in Swedish media. ,,I’m dark, adopted and transgender, so I’m an easy victim. But I haven’t had to worry about anything so far. I find that really overwhelming.”
Sand therefore also thanked the people around him in his extensive message on Instagram. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have dared any of this if you hadn’t been so good to me. You are magical.’ ️
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