“My biggest motivation is to one day be at the Olympic Games,” says Roos Vanotterdijk. The swimmer is one of the Be Gold athletes who are already training hard for the Paris or Los Angeles Games. A portrait.
Roos Vanotterdijk is only 17 years old, but is burning with ambition. The young swimming talent from Houthalen-Helchteren is strong in the butterfly stroke, freestyle and backstroke.
She recently proved that she has talent at the European Junior Swimming Championships by taking 5 medals: gold in the 100m butterfly, silver in the 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke and bronze in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle.
“I want to be faster than anyone else anyway,” she says confidently. “That is also necessary to become a top athlete. If someone swims quickly during training, I will go even faster in the next set.”
“I always want to be one with the water. To feel that you have all the water with you and that you can put power on the water.”
Top sport is a lifestyle that I have consciously chosen. I’ll do anything to make sure it’s perfect and that I don’t regret anything afterwards
Roos Vanotterdijk’s goal is to be at the Olympic Games. Paris may be too early, but in LA 2028 she definitely wants to be there.
“Top sport is a lifestyle that I have consciously chosen. I will do everything to ensure that it is perfect and that I should not regret anything afterwards. Eat a healthy diet during the week and see that you have enough energy for the training sessions Because I don’t have a lot of free time, every now and then a friend comes over for dinner.”
“I started swimming because my parents had to tell me. At the age of 4 I went to the swimming school, at the age of 8 I joined the competition group. Swimming 5 times a week, that was great. Every evening I was eagerly looking forward to to leave.”
“The water is the place where I can let go of everything and relax. Then I can let my thoughts run free and I’m in control.”
Thanks to Be Gold
This report series is being produced in collaboration with BeGold. Be Gold supports the development of the best young top sports talents with the aim of achieving a top 8 at the Olympic Games or a podium place at the Paralympic Games.
https://www.begold.be/nl
