The new chef de mission does not want a "flight of losers"

If it only depends on Pieter van den Hoogenband, the offending "losers" flight will be canceled at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The new head of the mission said that he wanted to defend him after the official appointment of his appointment on Tuesday.

During the Rio de Janeiro Games two and a half years ago, the 40-year-old swimmer was annoyed. send home athletes who were ready and did not win a medal.

Tuesday From Wereld Draait Door in which he was invited, Van den Hoogenband once again saw the images of athletes who returned earlier and turned around. The new chef de mission, who gave an impromptu press conference after the show: "I want to prevent the athletes trained for years with a feeling of decay from coming home." I'm looking for a solution for this exit flight "

It took a while, but after lengthy negotiations on his financial compensation, Van den Hoogenband could, to his great relief, call the Head of Mission. This post had been asked of him last summer by the technical director and departing chef, the Maurits Hendriks mission, but the syrupy decision making at the NOC * NSF sports umbrella was only completed this week.

In his new post, Van den Hoogenband will have to conform to a large extent to the line defined by Hendriks. The technical director has been working for two years on preparations for Tokyo. The new chef de mission does not think this is a problem, he says. "Because I agreed on a good division of tasks with Hendriks, but also because I believe in his vision.After all, he made a significant contribution to the high level of Dutch high-level sport."

The three-time Olympic champion believes that his main task is to create an environment for athletes in which they can play without being disturbed. If necessary, a shoulder or a word of encouragement, but especially the least possible. Van den Hoogenband wants to inspire, as he was inspired by Suriname swimmer Anthony Nesty when he defeated American Matt Biondi. Or as the cyclist Tom Dumoulin once told him to be inspired by the two gold medals won by Van den Hoogenband at the Sydney Games.

The new leader sees his mission as a quick introduction to athletes and coaches. "They must meet me at all times."