Maarten van der Weijden
After cancer Oplympic- and Worldchampion.
My name is Maarten van der Weijden. On March 12th 2001, I was diagnosed with leukemia. After a stem cell transplant I was lucky to recover. On August 21th 2008, I became OLYMPIC CHAMPION 10 kilometers open water swimming.
Media
News written after the Olympics:
Maarten van der Weijden: "Don't call me Lance Armstrong"
"I'm no Lance Armstrong, don't call me Lance Armstrong," insisted Holland's Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden, who won an epic battle with Great Britain's David Davies in the men's 10k Open Water event this morning.
Dutch leukemia survivor Maarten van der Weijden wins 10km swim at Beijing Olympics
ANOTHER day at the marathon swimming, another tale of triumph over adversity.
Men's Marathon 10km: Maarten van der Weijden surprises favorites
(BEIJING, August 21) -- Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands won the gold medal in a huge upset in the inaugural Men's Marathon 10km swimming race at a rainy Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Thursday, August 21.
News written after the World Championships:
Negative-Splitting to Beijing
"Maarten is incredible, isn't he?" said Shelley Taylor-Smith after the men's 10K race in Seville. Maarten van der Weijden earned a spot in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim by finishing a strong fourth in the strongest field ever assembled.
Dutchman Defies the Odds
We don't write much on open water here in the civilised world of pool swimming but here's a tale of courage, determination and dedication that's well worth taking the time for.
Van der Weijden: With patience comes victory
Speaking after his victorious race, it almost seemed like the 25km battle did little to tire Maarten Van der Weijden. He was enthused, smiling, and eagerly cheered home his compatriot Van Dijk as the women's swimmers finished about a half-hour after the men.
Copyright © 2009 Maarten van der Weijden. All rights reserved.