Paris071: Leythe rower Karolien Florijn wins gold in Paris

Cheering club mates of Karolien Floriijn and Gert-Jan van Doorn on the raft of Die Leythe. (Photo: Gerry van Bakel)

For the first time, a Dutch woman wins gold in the skiff, the one-person boat, at the Olympic Games. Two-time world champion Karolien Florijn lives up to her role as favorite and keeps reigning Olympic champion Emma Twigg from New Zealand at bay in an exciting final series.

At the Leiden rowing club Die Leythe, where Florijn started her rowing career, about a hundred and fifty people are ready to cheer on their club mate. Halfway through, it becomes a nail-biting affair because Twigg creeps closer, but Florijn manages to fend off the attack. When Florijn’s father, two-time Olympic champion Ronald Florijn, arrives at the club a little later, he is cheered and congratulated from all sides.

Reporter Gerry van Bakel in conversation with Ed Maan, Jan Klerks and Ronald Florijn

Father Florijn never watches his children’s competitions. Not even earlier this week when son Finn Florijn already became Olympic champion in the double four. “Two children with gold is even better than my own gold medals,” says Florijn. Former coach Ed Maan of the Florijn children is still involved with the two rowers. “We are often in touch. It was good that Karolien still had a final sprint in her legs. An Olympic final always goes differently than you think.”

Unique
Coach Jan Klerks, who will be going to Paris in a few weeks with the para-rowers, also looks with pride at Florijn’s performance. “This is really unique, we have to go back to 1968 when the Netherlands won gold in the men’s skiff.”

A little later, another Die Leythe rower wins an Olympic medal. In the Holland Eight, Gert-Jan van Doorn takes silver. Behind the unassailable British boat, but ahead of the Americans. “That is really special, so many Olympic medals for Leiden rowers,” says Maan. “This is very good for Leiden rowing.”

For rowing club Die Leythe, the rowing success of its (former) members is a golden opportunity in this anniversary year. The rowing club has been around for 110 years and is seizing the opportunity of Karolien and Finn Florijn and Gert-Jan van Doorn to participate in the Olympic Games to add extra lustre. Outside in front of the boat shed, large TV screens have been set up to watch the finals together. Inside, tables are full of sandwiches, fruit, savoury and sweet pastries. There is also an ice cream stand outside. And if two medals are also awarded to Leiden athletes, it couldn’t be better. On to the next 110 years.

Leiden Sports