Rated as an outdoor wager attributable to an Achilles damage the earlier yr, the Dutch athlete selected the proper time to succeed in a profession peak, a ferocious end propelling her to gold. The welcome residence 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 had been extra technical.
I knew I wanted to get the qualifying normal so I needed to plan, going to a race in France the place I knew it will be quick, simply to get it out of the best way. It was all about my coaching, as a result of I used to be at all times a bit damage susceptible, but when I might practice steadily for a few months then it will be okay.
Having an Olympics nearer to the Netherlands was nice nevertheless it made no distinction to my Mum. She had by no means been on a aircraft earlier than and at one level she advised me she’d purchased tickets, however just for the 800m remaining. It was months earlier than however I stated: “Purchase tickets for the heats as nicely.” She was like: “No, it is approach too costly.”
That was partly as a result of I didn’t come from a standard athletics household. She didn’t actually have an concept of the way it labored. I did not even have that many associates come to Barcelona. My athletics life and my social life had 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’d be within the remaining as a result of, within the 800m, typically good athletes exit within the warmth or semis due to unsuitable ways. I believed: “After I’m within the remaining, then something is feasible.” I used to be probably not relying on the medal, however I used to be definitely contemplating that I had an opportunity of 1.
Generally, 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 potential after which I had a kick. I at all times had the psychological energy to go fairly deep, as a result of the half between 600m and the end isn’t enjoyable for any 800m runner, so it’s a must to keep as relaxed as potential in that half and nonetheless be capable of go as quick as potential 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 might begin and, coming by the center of the ultimate bend, I handed Ella Kovacs on the within and thought: “There’s one gone”. And once we got here out of the bend I felt sturdy. I felt I might speed up.
However I had to decide on: do I’m going outdoors or do I keep inside? Ella was leaning to go outdoors, 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 might go outdoors if I wanted to and get the identical consequence. I used to be fairly assured. Generally you’re feeling that you’re sooner than the others. You’re feeling you could nonetheless speed up by.
After I completed, I didn’t really feel a lot shock concerning the win – it was extra the shock concerning the time. I felt quite a lot of reduction and exhaustion. I used to be utterly concentrated earlier than the race and I barely bear in mind something about it. You would simply see that full focus on my faceat the top.
After I obtained again to the Netherlands, there was quite a lot of celebration but additionally it price me cash. I used to be on an unemployment fund and I had executed it very properly and cleanly. I mentioned this with the federal government, and so they had 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’d report it after which the assistance can be lower. And that was completely tremendous.
However they’d 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 extra money.”
While you’re an Olympic champion, it’s not like, impulsively, your checking account is loaded. I believed the timing was so unsuitable, 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 method to do it.
However I used to be not too unhappy about it. It was slightly bit the Dutch approach. On the one hand, you are able to do nicely however, alternatively, you shouldn’t change. It’s best to keep the identical. Simply since you’ve obtained a gold medal, don’t be too vital. We’re at all times on each side. However, the morning I got here residence, I nonetheless couldn’t stroll alongside the road to my residence as a result of it was filled with folks celebrating. I might by no means complain about that.
