Dutch rowing team win the country’s first medal at the Olympics

The Dutch rowers won the quadruple sculls final to win the country its first medal at the Olympic Games on Wednesday. Koen Metsemakers, Tone Wieten, Finn Florijn, and Lennart van Lierop rowed to gold on the Olympic course in Vaires-sur-Marne under the watchful eye of Chef de Mission Pieter van den Hoogenband.

The Dutch delegation had to wait until the fifth day for their first medal at the games. Dutch favorites in mountain biking and judo were plagued by bad luck or early elimination.

Behind the Dutch foursome came the Italians, and the bronze medal went to the Polish boat.

Metsemakers and Wieten were also a part of the Dutch rowing team that won gold at the Games in Tokyo three years ago. The other two rowers in the boot were Dirk Uittenbogaard and Abe Wiersma on that occasion.

Shortly after the men’s success, the woman also picked up a medal in the quadruple sculls final. Laila Youssifou, Bente Paulis, Roos de Jong, and Tessa Dullemans seemed to be on their way to gold, but they were passed just before the finish. The photo finish was needed to provide clarity. The difference was 0.15. Third place went to Germany.

The Dutch boat seemed to be on its way to gold halfway through the race and also after three-quarters of the race, but Great Britain got closer and closer. The Netherlands was still leading a few dozen meters from the finish, but just before the finish, the British boat passed them.

There was some confusion for a while, but the British women were soon declared the winners. This happened to the displeasure of van den Hoogenband, who enthusiastically supported the team in the stands. The Dutch boat also felt despondent.

It was the first day that medals were handed out in rowing.