By Steven Munatones, Swimming World Special Correspondent
SEVILLE, Spain, May 1. TWO legendary open water swimmers, who are favored to be in the hunt for medals at the FINA World Open Water Championships, will be racing against 45 tough competitors in front of their children.
34-year-old Edith van Dijk of the Netherlands and 32-year-old Angela Maurer of Germany both have similar stories that may culminate in an Olympic berth on Saturday's World Championships in Seville.
van Dijk is a two-time world 10K champion (2000 and 2005) and Maurer was the silver medalist in the 10K world championships in 2003. Both women have won numerous victories on the World Cup and pro marathon swimming circuit, from 5K to 36K in distance. Both swimmers retired from the sport, got married, had children and then were surprised – and happy – to learn that open water swimming was added to the Beijing Olympics. Both decided the Olympics were a good enough reason for an unprecedented comeback.
"I feel good (in preparations for the Olympic qualifying race), but you never know," said van Dijk in Seville. "I am going to try my best and see what happens."
Swimming well after a layoff of two years, van Dijk appears quietly confident and will have her child and husband at the race cheering her on.
Similarly, Maurer took nearly 18 months off after having her child who is now three years old.
"I feel good. Everything will be fine," said Maurer. "This is unlike any other world championships. This is something special. The race is my chance at going to the Olympics. I hope I will do well."
Both women – clearly respected by their colleagues – are ready to go and hopeful their comebacks will culminate in achieving their Olympic dreams.