Dutch aiming high for Melbourne
27 February, 2007
After arriving in Australia last week ahead of the 12th FINA World Championships, the Dutch swimming team now has their sights firmly set on a strong showing in Melbourne next month.
Pieter van den Hoogenband and co have set up camp in Geelong, an hour west of Melbourne, and despite enjoying the picturesque bayside surrounds, are well and truly focused on the task at hand.
A total of 19 Dutch swimmers have qualified for the Championships and will be led by van den Hoogenband, who is aiming for his first world title.
Having missed Montreal with a back injury in 2005, van den Hoogenband is best remembered for his battles with retired Australian great Ian Thorpe at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
With a return to full fitness and form, he has set high expectations for Melbourne and beyond.
“In training sessions . . . some things are better than ever before. The world championships are very important to me to make a step forward for next year,” van den Hoogenband said.
“I have three Olympic titles, but for me now the big dream is to win the 100-metre freestyle three times in a row, nobody has ever achieved that. I am now in a group with Alex Popov and Johnny Weissmuller, but it would be very nice if I can start my own group."
The women's team is lead by Inge Dekker and Marleen Veldhuis, and both swimmers set great times at the Flanders Swimming Cup in Antwerp last month. Dekker clocked 57.90 in the 100 butterfly, while Veldhuis sprinted to 24.37 and 53.80 in the freestyle events.
The freestyle relays of the Netherlands proved to be successful in the past, but this year the men's 400 freestyle relay is not entered. Sprint ace Johan Kenkhuis retired and left an empty spot in the team that hasn't been filled yet. The women's 400 freestyle however is stronger than ever.
Team: Marleen Veldhuis, Inge Dekker, Hinkelien Schreuder, Chantal Groot, Femke Heemskerk, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Linda Bank, Manon van Rooijen, Pieter van den Hoogenband, Mitja Zastrow, Olaf Wildeboer, Robin van Aggele, Bas van Velthoven, Joost Reijns. Jacco Verhaeren (coach), Martin Truijens (coach)
Open Water team: Maarten van der Weijden, Alex Schelvis, Sebastiaan Reijnen, Evelien Sohl, Linsy Heister, Edith van Dijk (coach), Wim Schelvis (coach)
27 February, 2007
After arriving in Australia last week ahead of the 12th FINA World Championships, the Dutch swimming team now has their sights firmly set on a strong showing in Melbourne next month.
Pieter van den Hoogenband and co have set up camp in Geelong, an hour west of Melbourne, and despite enjoying the picturesque bayside surrounds, are well and truly focused on the task at hand.
A total of 19 Dutch swimmers have qualified for the Championships and will be led by van den Hoogenband, who is aiming for his first world title.
Having missed Montreal with a back injury in 2005, van den Hoogenband is best remembered for his battles with retired Australian great Ian Thorpe at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
With a return to full fitness and form, he has set high expectations for Melbourne and beyond.
“In training sessions . . . some things are better than ever before. The world championships are very important to me to make a step forward for next year,” van den Hoogenband said.
“I have three Olympic titles, but for me now the big dream is to win the 100-metre freestyle three times in a row, nobody has ever achieved that. I am now in a group with Alex Popov and Johnny Weissmuller, but it would be very nice if I can start my own group."
The women's team is lead by Inge Dekker and Marleen Veldhuis, and both swimmers set great times at the Flanders Swimming Cup in Antwerp last month. Dekker clocked 57.90 in the 100 butterfly, while Veldhuis sprinted to 24.37 and 53.80 in the freestyle events.
The freestyle relays of the Netherlands proved to be successful in the past, but this year the men's 400 freestyle relay is not entered. Sprint ace Johan Kenkhuis retired and left an empty spot in the team that hasn't been filled yet. The women's 400 freestyle however is stronger than ever.
Team: Marleen Veldhuis, Inge Dekker, Hinkelien Schreuder, Chantal Groot, Femke Heemskerk, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Linda Bank, Manon van Rooijen, Pieter van den Hoogenband, Mitja Zastrow, Olaf Wildeboer, Robin van Aggele, Bas van Velthoven, Joost Reijns. Jacco Verhaeren (coach), Martin Truijens (coach)
Open Water team: Maarten van der Weijden, Alex Schelvis, Sebastiaan Reijnen, Evelien Sohl, Linsy Heister, Edith van Dijk (coach), Wim Schelvis (coach)
