Femke Heemskerk claimed the second 50 free slot for Tokyo 2020 at the Eindhoven Qualification Meet after she eclipsed Valerie Van Roon‘s time of 24.63 in December which had initially earned her a nomination to the Netherlands team.
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 and whoever did so would take the second slot behind Ranomi Kromowidjojo.
If neither woman exceeded that time then it would stand and Van Roon would be on her way to the Olympics.
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.
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.
Arno Kamminga set a new Dutch record of 26.80 in the 50br, taking 0.08 off his own mark from the Rotterdam Qualification Meet in December.
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.
Jesse Puts won the men’s 50 free in 21.87.
Joy And Pain After 50 Free Decider
The issue arose when Heemskerk was forced to miss the Rotterdam Qualification Meet after her partner tested positive for Covid-19.
Heemskerk, who won gold as part of the Netherlands’ 4×100 free relay quartet at Beijing 2008, had previously clocked 24.71 at the 2019 Swim Cup Amsterdam meaning she would take the second 50 free spot along with Kromowidjojo as long as no-one went quicker.
However, she was forced to look on as Van Roon went inside 25 seconds for the first time in 24.63 in Rotterdam to claim the second spot and oust Heemskerk in the process.
The matter wasn’t over however and the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB) disciplinary committee upheld Heemskerk’s appeal in January.
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’ve already recorded still standing.
As it turned out it was Heemskerk who claimed the second berth and she said:
“I am especially proud of my great PB.
“Twice I swam faster than previously.
“I was really looking forward to this day, but I am also happy that it is over. It was a tight race.
“Two days ago I read a nice quote from tennis star Martina Navrátilová. She said the ball doesn’t know how old she is.”
Van Roon’s disappointment was clear as she said:
“You’ve already done that a hundred or a thousand times. It is important to execute your plan.
“These are five very nasty and tough months.”
Van Roon will no doubt be devastated, her joy at booking her spot in December shared then on social media.
Kamminga Makes More History; Back To The Future For Van Rouwendaal
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
The meet at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium gives swimmers the chance to qualify for Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics plus the European Championships in Budapest.
Kamminga was 0.01 outside his national record when he went 28.89 in morning heats and he returned in the evening to lower that once more.
The trials season has already thrown up several performances that have stirred international waters.
One of them being Nicolo Martinenghi‘s rise to third all-time over both 50 (26.39) and 100br (58.37).
Kamminga had been third over two lengths before the Italian’s exploits – his time of 58.43 now fourth all-time.
The three-time European short-course champion will race the 100br in Eindhoven on Saturday with the 200 – in which he is a member of the 2:06 club – on Sunday.
Rosey Metz won the women’s race in 30.72.
Van Rouwendaal Adds Backstroke To Open Water Programme
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Sharon van Rouwendaal – who holds national records over 200 back, 400-1500free and 200 fly – took the four-length backstroke title.
The Rio 2016 open water champion – who set the national mark of 2:07.78 at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai – was fourth at 50 and third at 100 before turning second 0.15 behind Kira Toussaint at 150.
Van Rouwendaal then showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field with a final 50 of 32.53 to stop the clock at 2:10.42.
That was enough to book a spot in the event in Tokyo where she will also compete in the open water.
She said:
“This qualification allows me to enter the Olympic Village earlier.
“With 2.09 you don’t get a medal, but it was my time in the semi-final in London 2012.
“It’s also nice to have an incentive. In Rio I also swam the 400 freestyle as a wake-up call. ”
Sonnele Oeztuerk was next home in 2:12.56, 0.02 ahead of Toussaint.
Saso Boskan of Slovenia won the men’s race in 2:02.66 with Dennis Kamps the first Netherlands swimmer home in 2:03.96.
Nyls Korstanje won the men’s 100 fly in 51.93, splitting 23.93/28.00 to go within 0.18 of Joeri Verlinden‘s national record of 51.75 from London 2012.
While it was a PB, Korstanje’s effort was 0.01 outside the cut for Tokyo although he has another chance at the European Championships in Budapest next month.
Maaike de Waard won the women’s race in 58.50.
Bernhard Reitshammer of Austria won the men’s 200IM in 1:59.56 ahead of Arjan Knipping (2:00.39).
German pair Kathrin Demler and Marie Pietruschka occupied the top two slots in the 200IM in 2:12.45 and 2:13.36 with Marrit Steenbergen the first Netherlands swimmer to touch in third in 2:14.74.
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