Gold for UvA student Derck de Vilder at the Olympics: here‘s how he and the rest fared
Four UvA students could be admired at the Olympic Games in Paris. After the final ceremony on Sunday evening, we can see the overall results. How did they perform at the world's biggest sporting event? Can they continue their studies at the UvA in possession of honorary metal?
The world's biggest sporting event came to an end last weekend. For the Netherlands, it was the most successful Olympics ever, but the UvA can also (indirectly) chalk up a few sporting successes. While gymnast Elze Geurts (UvA medical student) unfortunately had to withdraw at the last moment, UvA students Nelson Ritsema, Jan van der Bij, Derck de Vilder and Elvis Afrifa were able to make their appearance for Team-NL. Some with more success than others. How did the Olympics go for them?
UvA students
Derck de Vilder (25, Business Economics, hockey)
For De Vilder, it was his first Olympics and immediately a memorable one. After seven games - in all of which he played but did not score any goals - he stood with the Dutch hockey men in the final against Germany. In that match, a decisive fore-action by De Vilder still led to the opening goal, but shoot-outs were needed moments later, as the Germans equalised shortly afterwards. After a missed shoot-out by, among others, UvA alumni Jonas de Geus, there was a moment of blood-curdling tension, but in the end it was the Dutch that won. Extraordinary, because the last time the Dutch men's hockey team won gold was no less than 24 years ago at the Sydney Olympics. De Vilder - in the final, as always adorned with his characteristic white bandana around his head - clearly couldn't believe his luck.
Jan van der Bij (32, Accountancy & Control, rowing)
UvA student Jan van der Bij competed these Olympics for the famous Holland Eight - the rowing boat with eight rowers that took gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and has had an illustrious status within Team-NL ever since. Until these successful Olympics, that was the last time the Netherlands won a gold medal in rowing. Van der Bij and his seven teammates - including UvA alumni Mick Makker, Ruben Knab and Jacob van de Kerkhof - managed to turn that special, historic status into a handsome second place. With a time of 5:23:92. Next academic year, Van der Bij will pick up his master's in Accountancy & Control at the UvA again, but this time with a silver medal in his pocket.
Nelson Ritsema (29, physics & astronomy, rowing)
Together with teammates Guus Molle, Eli Brouwer and Rik Rienks, UvA student Nelson Ritsema competed in the four-single rowing competition (‘Four’ stands for number of rowers, ‘without’ for lack of coxswain) at the Olympics. They finished fourth and last in their series, forcing the rowers to enter the repechage. Not the desired result, but neither were they entirely dissatisfied. ‘Fine race, but this is not a Mickey Mouse competition,’ Rienks put the loss into perspective afterwards with NOS. Unfortunately, they also finished fourth and last in the resits, which meant that competing for the medals was out of the question relatively soon. They had to settle for a race for honour in the so-called B-final, a consolation final in a way. They did win that one in a time of 5:56.35, which ultimately put them in seventh place in the tournament.
Elvis Afrifa (26, information science, athletics relay 4x100m)
Due to the elimination of two countries, the Dutch relay team qualified for the Olympics at the last minute. But since last Thursday, Afrifa can rightfully call himself an Olympian. His adventure in Paris unfortunately lasted shorter than hoped. Together with his teammates Onyema Adigida, Taymir Burnet, Nsikak Ekpowerd, Afrifa finished eighth and last in the series, which meant that a final spot was not in the cards. So although the tournament ended in disappointment for him - after all, his goal was to reach the final - that does not mean the Olympics are now a closed chapter for Afrifa. At the next Olympics in 2028, he wants to revenge himself; including by competing in the king number within athletics, the 100-metre sprint, following the example of his great example Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprint legend.
UvA alumni
Besides the UvA alumni already discussed sideways, a number of other former UvA students competed in the Olympics. Below is a brief history of their tournament.
Tasa Jiya (26, Law, 200 metres athletics)
The former UvA law student convincingly reached the semi-finals in the 200-metre athletics in the series. But sixth place in her heat was then not enough for the final.
Lisanne de Witte (31, communication studies, 4x400 metre relay athletics)
UvA alumni Lisanne de Witte competed in the 4x400-metre relay in athletics. Together with Femke Bol, Lieke Klaver and Cathelijn Peeters, she won a nice silver medal there.
Hermijntje Drenth (30, Amsterdam University College, rowing)
In the four-seater, former AUC student Hermijntje Drenth took gold with a time of 6.27.13. The difference with number two, Great Britain, covered only 0.18 seconds in the final.
Lennart van Lierop (30, maths, rowing)
UvA alumni Van Lierop took gold with the double-four (four rowers with oars where the paddles are on both sides) with a time of 5:42:00. That was only the first medal won by the Netherlands this Olympics after four days of drought.
