European Record Tumbles During Final Day of Dutch Short Course Championships

By Oene Rusticus

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, December 23. MARLEEN Veldhuis set a European Record during the final day of the Dutch Short Course Championships in Amsterdam. After splitting 25.00, Veldhuis clocked 52.08 to better her own record set during the World Cup in Berlin.

Veldhuis had a busy schedule the last few weeks, with great performances during the Dutch Open Swim Cup in Eindhoven and the European Short Course Championships in Debrecen. This Tuesday, Veldhuis was awarded as Sportswoman of the Year of The Netherlands.

"I was surprised that my race ended in another record," Veldhuis said. "I was quite tired. But since I knew they were my last events, I succeeded in swimming all-out. It's really nice to end the year like this."

Pieter van den Hoogenband clocked a great 47.30 to win the 100 freestyle.

"It felt like in the old days again," said van den Hoogenband.

van den Hoogenband's coach Jacco Verhaeren was also very satisfied.

"I haven't seen him this good since 2005," Verhaeren said. "For me, this is the confirmation that he can go for gold in Beijing."

Another great performance was set by Bastiaan Tamminga. In the 50 fly, he clocked 23.46 to beat van den Hoogenband. With his time, he bettered the Dutch record of Joris Keizer set in 2001.

Inge Dekker battled with Veldhuis in the women's 50 fly. The race was decided in the finish when Veldhuis touched the wall first in 26.04 to Dekker's 26.08.

The 50 breaststroke was won by Thijs van Valkengoed in a personal best of 28.29, his sister Jolijn van Valkengoed won the women's 50 breaststroke in 31.38.

Tom Vangeneugden led the 1500 by almost two lengths before he finished first in 14:51.07. Thanks to a change of the rules of the Dutch Nationals to Open Championships, the Belgian swimmer was able to participate in Amsterdam. The long course championships from June 5-8 will feature morning finals to let the Dutch Olympic competitors get into the habit of Beijing. Any other foreign swimmer who would like to try the format before the Olympics is welcome in Eindhoven.

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