Dutch send 241 athletes to Rio Olympics; 75% of sports represented

The Dutch Olympics squad. Photo Maarten Hartman
The Dutch Olympics squad. Photo Maarten Hartman

The Netherlands is sending a team of 241 athletes to next month’s Olympic Games in Rio, the Dutch sports federation said on Wednesday.

The Netherlands will be represented in 21 of the 28 disciplines at the games. ‘That is a great compliment for the Dutch sports community because we have not had an easy year,’ chief of mission Maurits Hendriks said at the squad presentation in Scheveningen.

The Netherlands sent 178 athletes to the London games, and they returned with 20 medals, including six golds. Then, the Netherlands competed in 18 different sports.

In June, sports information group Gracenote suggested the Netherlands could win as many as 29 medals during the games, four more than its record 25 during the Sydney Olympics of 2000.

Among those tipped to do well are sprinter Dafne Schippers, who is the fastest woman in the world this year over 200m and gymnast Epke Zonderland on the high bar.

The Netherlands is also likely to win medals in sailing, field hockey, dressage and swimming.

In addition, the Netherlands is sending 114 athletes to take part in the Paralympics, which run in September. ‘This is our biggest, youngest, fittest and best team ever,’ chief of mission AndrĂ© Cats told reporters.

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