The fact that the swimming pools closed during the corona pandemic was a sporting disaster for Lucas Peters (20) from Eindhoven. Yet he had the best year in his development. He left for a city in the middle of the desert and there the swimmer took enormous steps towards world top. The 2024 Olympic Games are his goal. “I believe I can make it.”
Lucas, who grew up in Waalre, dreamed of participating in the Olympic Games from an early age. He was in the pool six days a week training. When the doors were closed due to a lockdown in 2020, he hated it. “My life was all about swimming. I dreamed of the Games, I wanted to give everything for that.”
In search of swimming water, he sent an app to a British trainer who worked in Dubai. “I was able to stay for six weeks, but that ended up being a year. In the Netherlands I was used to training smart in the available hours. In Dubai I was in the water much more often. I always trained hard, but under the new As a trainer, it was really hard and hard work and not after too much thinking. A different approach that was good for me. I really needed this new stimulus.”
“We had a very normal life.”
Dubai is known for its wealth. From towering skyscrapers, the most expensive shops to the fastest sports cars on the street. But anyone who thinks that Luke lived like a king will be disappointed. “I had an apartment, but I was in the pool most of the day. I was part of a large group of swimmers. I didn’t experience much of the luxury, we had a very normal life.”
In Dubai he made great strides as a swimmer and once back in the Netherlands he joined TeamNL. The first year he was assigned to the swimming academy, a year later he was promoted to the elite group. This early season he already has a European Under-23 Championship to his name and World Cups in Berlin, Athens and Budapest.
“At the beginning of the season it is mainly a matter of investing and making progress in the pool. It is quite difficult to immediately start racing at tournaments, because I am not yet at my best in terms of form. Still, I can be satisfied , because during the World Cups I was close to final places and my personal bests.”
“An Olympic ticket is realistic, I believe in that.”
The European Short Course Championships are scheduled to take place in Romania next month. “But my biggest goal remains the Olympic Games in Paris. I am focusing on the 200 and 400 meters, there are opportunities for me. In the national team there are several swimmers who already have Olympic experience, that is something great. I still have to take a big step. But I am confident that it can be done.”