Inky Is Out of Euro Champs; Coach Says She’s “Not Fit Enough”

TUALATIN HILLS, Oregon, July 17. TREBLE Olympic gold medalist and treble world record-holder Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands will not participate in the
European Championships at the end of this month in Berlin as she is not "fit enough," according to her American coach, Paul Bergen (Tualatin Hills
Aquatics).

De Bruijn tested herself a few weeks ago at the Santa Clara Invitational, swimming 58.87 for the 100m fly — second fastest time in the world this year — and after competing only in a few meets this year since the Short Course Euros in Antwerp last December.

Her times this year in the 50 free and 100 fly ranked her among the world's best swimmers but they did not satisfy Bergen.

"I know 10 coaches that would like to go to the Euros with her, based on her times but not Bergen," states Dutch team manager Ad Roskam. He supports the decision of Bergen and Inky.

"A swimmer of her level should make her decisions carefully. She's not in a position anymore that she's satisfied with less than gold and top times".

Inky is now planning her future with Bergen and the Dutch Swimming Association, and she'd like to shine again at the World Championship's in Barcelona next summer and in Athens (2004 Olympics).

Meanwhile, Dutch swimming is in a bit of a crisis. Team manager Ad Roskam resigned April 1 to move to the Dutch Olympic Committee. As he still hasn't been replaced, he runs both jobs. Dutch Head coach Stefaan Obreno decided to quit as of July 1. A replacement for him hasn't been found yet, leaving Roskam in charge of the Dutch team in Berlin.

— Oene Rusticus and Bill Bell-

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