What is it like to have a world-famous athlete within your own association? “Very cool,” says Chloe Hulten (11) from Vught. “It’s so special, I’m happy to be in a picture with her.” Chloe is talking about athlete Cathelijn Peeters, who was honored for the world title with the women’s relay at the Vughtse Sportclub Prins Hendrik on Saturday afternoon. A title that has changed the life of De Bossche considerably.
If there is a prize for the ‘most likeable world champion’, then Cathelijn has a chance to win gold. Somewhat shyly, she walks to the stage where she is crowned an honorary member of Prince Hendrik. Then she shakes hands with proud club members and there is always that smile on her face. “I used to have examples, such as Nadine Broersen. Now there are children who call me an example. That’s nice, but I have to get used to that role a bit.”
Before the World Cup, Cathelijn did not stand out on the street. “But after the world title, things have changed. Sometimes unknown people speak to me because they recognize me. Even last week, when I was in Paris for a few days, tourists from India said they had seen the final on TV. Very strange, I think I still have to process everything surrounding the world title a bit.”
“She’s not afraid to lose.”
Britt Hoevenaars (11) from Helvoirt spoke briefly with Cathelijn and was impressed. “She is really nice. A world champion, but not afraid of losing. Because when you lose, you learn something.” Britt van Boxtel from Sint-Michielsgestel looks up to her clubmate. “I would like to know from her how she can run so fast. Yes, I want to be that good when I grow up.”
11-year-old Lindy van Loon is happy that Cathelijn remains loyal to her club in Vught: “It is cozy and well organized here, so I understand.” Cathelijn herself also sees no reason to go to Papendal to train, like many other athletes. “My trainers are doing well here and it is a nice club. However, I will stop my job on the side from November 1, I will focus entirely on running.”
“As a child I never had the goal of becoming world champion.”
There’s the smile on her face again. She watches dozens of youth members on the athletics track. “It is especially important that they enjoy doing it. As a child, I never had the goal of becoming world champion or going to the Olympic Games. But look, through fun and hard work I succeeded.”
