Openwater swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal from Gemert will stop swimming for the time being. She reports this on social media. The Olympic champion has decided after ‘a lot of weighing’ this year not to participate in the world championships in Singapore. She is ready for a new challenge.
Van Rouwendaal wants to focus on something else that gives her a lot of satisfaction. She wants to give something back for the sport. “Through swimming clinics all over the world I share my experience and inspire the next generation of swimmers. This feels like a valuable and natural step in my career,” reports the open water swimmer.
Also read: Gold for Sharon van Rouwendaal during Olympic open water swimming
“What the future brings, I don’t know yet.” In September she will take the time to think about where her heart is and whether she is ready for a new challenge. Because although she distances himself from the world championships, she says she is standing open for new opportunities.
“For now I enjoy this new chapter and I am grateful for all the support I get. I look forward to seeing what the future brings!”
Gold medal
Sharon van Rouwendaal has won several Olympic medals during open water swimming. During the Games in Paris and Rio she won a gold medal, in Tokyo she conquered silver. Last year she also became world champion in the ten kilometers of open water swimming. Van Rouwendaal was also nominated as a athlete of the year.
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