Dutch Olympics delegation chief satisfied with performance in Beijing
www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-24 20:29:54   Print

    BRUSSELS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chef de Mission of the Dutch Olympic delegation Charles van Commenee said he is "more than content" with the Dutch performance in Beijing, Radio Netherlands reported Sunday.

    In the past two weeks, the Dutch team won 16 medals -- seven gold, five silver and four bronze -- and was ranked 12th in the medal tally, short of fulfilling the target of making it into the top 10 at the Olympics.

    At the 2004 Olympics, the Netherlands won 22 medals, including four gold, and was ranked 18th in the medal tally. In 2000, it pocketed 25 medals to finish 8th in the tally.

    Although the number of medals is less that in the previous two Games, Van Commenee is pleased that more separate Dutch teams and individuals were involved in winning the medals.

    In Sydney and Athens, the Dutch delegations relied on just a few competitors such as swimmers Pieter van den Hoogenband, Inge de Bruijn and cyclist Leontien van Moorsel.

    Van Commenee said the Dutch delegation also had some bad luck, naming the fall by cyclist Theo Bos and gymnast Yuri van Gerlder's failure to make it to the Games.

    Long distance swimmer Maarten van der Weijden, who took the gold in the 10k Open Water swim, carried the flag at Sunday's closing ceremony. His victory was particularly special because he overcame cancer a few years ago.

Editor: Xinhuanet
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