Olympic swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal has dedicated her gold medal at the Paris Olympics to her late Pomeranian, Rio. The Dutch athlete, who impressively won the marathon swim in the Seine, not only won the race, but also mentioned a deep personal loss.
Sharon had previously won Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but this victory in Paris meant something more to her. The name of her beloved dog was not chosen by chance; Rio was a constant companion and support throughout her career. However, when Rio passed away unexpectedly in May this year after a complicated surgery, Sharon's world was momentarily brought to a halt.
"My world stopped when he died and I didn't want to swim actually, for a few weeks," Sharon told an interviewer after the race. "I had a lot of stress in my body."
Giving it all one last time for Rio
Her father, who plays an important role in her life and career, encouraged her to honour Rio's memory by giving it her all one last time. "You have to do it for him."
With a tattoo of Rio's paw print on her wrist, symbolising their unbreakable bond, Sharon dove into the water. She knew this race was not just for herself, but more importantly for Rio. The marathon in the Seine was tough, both physically and emotionally, but Sharon found strength in her grief. In the end, it was that strength that led her to the gold.
Sharon's victory was special not only because of her personal story, but also because of the challenges she had to overcome. The water quality of the Seine, which was widely criticised during the Games, made the race extra difficult. Yet nothing stopped her from doing the impossible and winning!
A physical and emotional feat
With her victory, Sharon not only brought in a tenth gold medal for the Netherlands, but also a touching tribute to a dear friend who is no longer with her. "I did it - I won for him," she said afterwards.
Sharon's story shows how sport is not only about performance and medals, but also about the emotional journey athletes go through. This race, won with love and dedication, will be long remembered.
