{"id":468794,"date":"2021-04-09T10:50:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T17:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=468794"},"modified":"2021-04-10T09:18:36","modified_gmt":"2021-04-10T16:18:36","slug":"heemskerk-clinches-second-50-free-slot-over-van-roon-dutch-50br-record-for-kamminga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/heemskerk-clinches-second-50-free-slot-over-van-roon-dutch-50br-record-for-kamminga\/","title":{"rendered":"Heemskerk Clinches Second 50 Free Slot Over Van Roon; Dutch 50br Record For Kamminga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Femke Heemskerk<\/strong> claimed the second 50 free slot for Tokyo 2020<\/strong> at the Eindhoven Qualification Meet<\/strong> after she eclipsed Valerie Van Roon<\/strong>‘s time of 24.63 in December which had initially earned her a nomination to the Netherlands team.<\/p>\n

Booking a ticket to Tokyo came down to both women having a chance to record a time faster than Van Roon’s 24.63 from the Rotterdam Qualification Meet<\/strong> and whoever did so would take the second slot behind Ranomi Kromowidjojo.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If neither woman exceeded that time then it would stand and Van Roon would be on her way to the Olympics.<\/p>\n

Heemskerk looked ominous in the prelims as she set a PB of 24.28 – the fastest in the field – with Van Roon clocking 24.85, Kromowidjojo the meat in the sandwich in 24.39.<\/p>\n

Heemskerk was second in Friday’s final behind Kromowidjojo (24.11) but what was of crucial significance was her time of 24.43 which means Van Roon – who was third in 24.84 – will no longer be making the trip to the Olympics for the 50 free.<\/p>\n

Link to results<\/a><\/p>\n

Arno Kamminga<\/strong> set a new Dutch record of 26.80 in the 50br, taking 0.08 off his own mark from the Rotterdam Qualification Meet<\/strong> in December.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old holds all the national breaststroke records, standing at fourth all-time in the 100br (58.43) and fifth in the 200br in 2:06.85.<\/p>\n

Jesse Puts<\/strong> won the men’s 50 free in 21.87.<\/p>\n

Joy And Pain After 50 Free Decider<\/h3>\n
The issue arose when Heemskerk was forced to miss the\u00a0Rotterdam Qualification Meet<\/strong> after her partner tested positive for Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Heemskerk, who won gold as part of the Netherlands\u2019 4\u00d7100 free relay quartet at\u00a0Beijing 2008<\/strong>, had previously clocked 24.71 at the\u00a02019 Swim Cup Amsterdam<\/strong> meaning she would take the second 50 free spot along with\u00a0Kromowidjojo as long as no-one went quicker.<\/p>\n
However, she was forced to look on as Van\u00a0Roon<\/strong>\u00a0went inside 25 seconds for the first time in 24.63 in Rotterdam to claim the second spot and oust Heemskerk in the process.<\/a><\/p>\n
The matter wasn\u2019t over however\u00a0and the\u00a0Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB)<\/strong> disciplinary committee upheld Heemskerk\u2019s appeal in January<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Following mediation with both swimmers it was decided that the pair would have the opportunity to record a faster time on Friday in Eindhoven with the times they\u2019ve already recorded still standing.<\/p>\n
As it turned out it was Heemskerk who claimed the second berth and she said:<\/p>\n
“I am especially proud of my great PB. <\/span><\/p>\n
“Twice I swam faster than previously. <\/span><\/p>\n
“I was really looking forward to this day, but I am also happy that it is over. <\/span>It was a tight race.<\/span><\/p>\n
“Two days ago I read a nice quote from tennis star Martina Navr\u00e1tilov\u00e1. She<\/span> said the ball doesn’t know how old she is.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Van Roon’s disappointment was clear as she said:<\/p>\n
“You’ve already done that a hundred or a thousand times.\u00a0<\/span>It is important to execute your plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
“These are five very nasty and tough months.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Van Roon will no doubt be devastated, her joy at booking her spot in December shared then on social media.<\/p>\n
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A post shared by Valerie van Roon (@valerievanroon)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n