Dutch Women Softball Team

2008

Honoring the Medal Winners

THE HAGUE (Netherlands) - On Wednesday, August 27, the medal winners of the Beijing Olympic Games were honored. In the Chinese capital, a total of 62 athletes won 16 medals, including seven gold, five silver and four bronze. After the medal winners got together in The Hague, they were received by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, while the gold medal winners got a Royal Decoration.

Hereafter, the medal winners toured through The Hague en route to the historical Ridderzaal, the former site of the Dutch Parliament and the site where the Queen annually opens the Parliament Year. After the athletes were introduced, accompanied by images of their accomplisments in Beijing, Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, Minister of Sports Jet Bussemaker and The Hague's Mayor Jozias van Aartsen heralded the accomplishments of all winners and stated they were proud of all the athletes. It was also underscored that the Netherlands Olympic Committee participated in Beijing with the biggest team ever, 242 athletes, something to be proud of.

NOC-President Erica Terpstra then took her place behind the microphone and held an inspiring speech in her characteristic enthusiastic way. Like Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, she mentioned all the winners and especially Maarten van der Weijden, who won the gold medal on the 10 km marathon swimming in open water. Both stated that the story of Maarten is inspirational for everyone around the world, as he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, but defeated it and went on to become an Olympic hero. Erica Terpstra had anecdotes about all winners and also mentioned that the she was proud of the other athletes and teams, who didn't won a medal, but also can look back to a fantastic Olympic Games. ,,You were all part of the biggest Netherlands Olympic Team ever, you are all Top of the World'', Erica Terpstra said.

Erica Terpstra concluded her speech with the announcement of the results of a new initiative of the NOC*NSF. Through its website, the Dutch Olympic Committee organised a poll, where fans could cast their vote for the Best Olympic Coach in Beijing. The bronze medal went to Marc Lammers, the coach of the Women Hockey Team, silver went to Swimming Coach Jacco Verhaeren and the gold medal was won Robin van Galen, who guided the Women Waterpolo Team to gold.

It was then time to hand out the medal-bonusses to the medal-winners, which was done by the NOC*NSF Partners-in-Sport, sponsors Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Unilever, DSM, Lotto and Randstad.

With the honoring of the medal winners, the Olympic Year 2008 was concluded. Tomorrow, the Olympic route to London 2012 begins!

NOC*NSF-President Erica Terpstra during her speech

Swimmer Maarten van der Weijden being interviewed afterwards