Rated as an outdoor guess as a consequence of an Achilles harm the earlier yr, the Dutch athlete selected the right time to succeed in a profession peak, a ferocious end propelling her to gold. The welcome dwelling to the Netherlands introduced an sudden bump within the highway, although
Popping out of 1991, I knew I needed to be affected person throughout that subsequent yr and never attempt to rush issues, however I additionally needed to qualify for Barcelona. There have been loads of good races in Europe, however they have been extra technical.
I knew I wanted to get the qualifying commonplace so I needed to plan, going to a race in France the place I knew it might be quick, simply to get it out of the way in which. It was all about my coaching, as a result of I used to be at all times a bit harm susceptible, but when I may practice steadily for a few months then it might be okay.
Having an Olympics nearer to the Netherlands was nice however it made no distinction to my Mum. She had by no means been on a airplane earlier than and at one level she informed me she’d purchased tickets, however just for the 800m last. It was months earlier than however I stated: “Purchase tickets for the heats as nicely.” She was like: “No, it is manner too costly.”
That was partly as a result of I didn’t come from a standard athletics household. She didn’t actually have an thought of the way it labored. I did not even have that many buddies come to Barcelona. My athletics life and my social life have been fairly separate, even when they [my friends and family] all supported me very a lot.
I gained 10 of my 11 races that yr and so I obtained to the Olympics with a plan: it was all about ensuring I might be within the last as a result of, within the 800m, generally good athletes exit within the warmth or semis due to mistaken techniques. I believed: “After I’m within the last, then something is feasible.” I used to be not likely relying on the medal, however I used to be actually contemplating that I had an opportunity of 1.
Typically, 800s are run slowly and [if that had happened] then it would not have been me successful out. My feeling was to stay with a race so long as attainable after which I had a kick. I at all times had the psychological power to go fairly deep, as a result of the half between 600m and the end shouldn’t be enjoyable for any 800m runner, so you must keep as relaxed as attainable in that half and nonetheless be capable to go as quick as attainable with 200m to go.
I knew that, so long as I used to be there with 120m left, I used to be assured – to not win, however to be in competition. I knew when my kick may begin and, coming by the center of the ultimate bend, I handed Ella Kovacs on the within and thought: “There’s one gone”. And after we got here out of the bend I felt sturdy. I felt I may speed up.
However I had to decide on: do I am going exterior or do I keep inside? Ella was leaning to go exterior, in order that’s why I waited a bit and went inside. It was a decisive second, as a result of I additionally felt I may go exterior if I wanted to and get the identical end result. I used to be fairly assured. Typically you’re feeling that you’re quicker than the others. You are feeling which you can nonetheless speed up by.
After I completed, I didn’t really feel a lot shock in regards to the win – it was extra the shock in regards to the time. I felt a whole lot of aid and exhaustion. I used to be utterly concentrated earlier than the race and I barely keep in mind something about it. You may simply see that full focus on my face
on the finish.
After I obtained again to the Netherlands, there was a whole lot of celebration but additionally it value me cash. I used to be on an unemployment fund and I had completed it very properly and cleanly. I mentioned this with the federal government, and so they have been like: “Sure, we assist you.” Beneath the system in Holland again then, I obtained assist and I additionally had an settlement that, as quickly as I used to be going to earn cash, I might report it after which the assistance can be reduce. And that was completely high quality.
However that they had already despatched me a letter whereas I used to be nonetheless in Barcelona to take it away and that was actually annoying for me, as a result of I felt I ought to have had the chance to go there myself and inform them: “Hey, I have been going to earn more cash.”
Once you’re an Olympic champion, it’s not like, impulsively, your checking account is loaded. I believed the timing was so mistaken, to have already got a letter from the federal government on my doorstep whereas I used to be nonetheless on the Video games. It was all a really unusual strategy to do it.
However I used to be not too unhappy about it. It was a little bit bit the Dutch manner. On the one hand, you are able to do nicely however, however, you shouldn’t change. It’s best to keep the identical. Simply since you’ve obtained a gold medal, don’t be too necessary. We’re at all times on either side. However, the morning I got here dwelling, I nonetheless couldn’t stroll alongside the road to my dwelling as a result of it was filled with folks celebrating. I may by no means complain about that.
