Blow for Lidewij Welten: three-time Olympic champion is not allowed to participate in the Games | Other sports

For that reason, the Kampong attacker (33), just like Kyra Fortuin of SCHC, is already not in the selection for the Pro League matches in India next month.

When announcing his 24-person selection, Van Ass indicated that the conversations with Welten and Fortuin were difficult. “And without wanting to do Kyra a disservice, Lidewij in particular has an enormous track record and has meant a lot to Dutch hockey in recent years. However, we felt we had to make this decision now.”

Welten had gone to Paris next summer for her fifth Olympic participation. In 2008, 2012 and 2021 she won gold with the Oranje, in 2016 there was no more than silver. In 247 international matches, Welten scored 95 times. In 2015, the former Den Bosch player was voted the best hockey player in the world.

But in recent years, Welten has increasingly struggled with injuries. As a result, the Eindhoven native also missed last summer’s European Championships in Mönchengladbach, just like many other international matches. In the past thirteen months, Welten only played for the Dutch team against China in June last year.

Captain Xan de Waard is not available in India due to a foot injury. Sabine Plönissen from Amsterdam and HDM goalkeeper Julia Remmerswaal have been passed over for the Pro League matches. Eva Drummond and Margot van Geffen are now by far the most experienced players in the Dutch selection, with 261 and 260 international matches.

The Olympic champion will play against the United States, India, China and Australia in Bhubaneswar, India from February 3 to 9. The teams will then travel to Rourkela, also in India, to compete against each other there from February 12 to 18.