The Dutch Olympic Team Presentation took place this morning, and swimmer Kira Toussaint shared an awesome behind-the-scenes video that you can check out below.
241 total athletes will be representing the Netherlands at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio, including 17 swimmers.
The women’s team will include sprinter Ranomi Kromowidjojo who will be looking to defend her gold medal finished at the 2012 games in London in the 50m and 100m freestyle. She will also be a vital component of the country’s extremely competitive 4x100m freestyle relay.
Recovering cancer survivor Inge Dekker is another vital component of that relay. Dekker was diagnosed with cervical cancer just this past February and underwent surgery a month later. Since then, the 30 year old has put up strong performences at the Sette Colli Trophy and KNZB Challenger meets. In addition to the relay, she will be swimming the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle individually.
16 year old Marrit Steenbergen has the potential to move up among competition. She was a member of the Dutch silver medal-winning women’s 4x100m freestyle and mixed 4x100m freestyle relays at last year’s World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The men’s team is led by freestyler Sebastiaan Verschuren. Verschuren was the 2016’s European Champion in the 200m freestyle and silver medalist in the 100m freestyle. He brings Olympic experience to the team, having finaled in the 100m freestyle in London and taking 11th place in the 200.
Managing Director Jan Kossen said that “This is a team to be proud of. . . we look confidently to the Olympics. Good to this team to see the mix of experienced Olympic swimmers and young talents. The number of novices at these Games also gives confidence to the more distant future.”.
