Biography
Language: EN
Marcel Reinier Wouda, born January 23, 1972 in Tilburg, Netherlands is a
former swimmer, who became Holland's first world champion when he won the
world title in the 200 individual medley at the FINA World Championships in
Perth, Australia in 1998.
Wouda grew up in Uden, where he joined swimming club De Zeester at a very
young age. His trainers were Martien Swinkels and then Rob Kennis, who
brought him to the top of Dutch swimming. Wouda made his olympic debut at
the 1992 Olympic Games, where he was the sole male in the Dutch squad of
eight females. Afterwards he moved to the United States, where he joined The
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, under the guidance of trainer-coach Jon
Urbanchek.
Two years later Wouda moved back to The Netherlands, where trainer-coach
Jacco Verhaeren brought him back to the top. With two world records on short
course (25 metres) and a world title in 1998 (long course) Wouda was
responsible for the rebirth of Dutch swimming.
Unfortenately for him it turned out to be that his physique wasn't good
enough any more for the 2000 Olympic Games, in which he altough won a bronze
medal in the 800 freestyle relay. In the aftermath of the Sydney Olympics
Wouda resigned from swimming. Six months later a Dutch journalist from Dutch
daily NRC Handelsblad, Mark Hoogstad, revealed a book in which Wouda was the
main character. It describes the resurrection of Dutch swimming at the hand
of Wouda's career.
Wouda currently is the head coach of Dutch junior swimming.
Language: NL
Marcel Wouda (geb. 23-1-1972) groeide op in Uden en vond vanuit de
plaatselijke zwemvereniging de aansluiting bij de nationale en later
internationale top. In 1992 nam Marcel als enige Nederlandse man deel aan de
Olympische zwemnummers. Na drie intensieve trainingsjaren in Amerika keerde
Marcel terug bij PSV in Eindhoven onder de hoede van trainer Jacco Verhaeren.
Hier bloeide hij op en vestigde twee wereldrecords en werd hij
wereldkampioen op de 200 meter wisselslag in 1998 in Perth. Tijdens de
Olympische Spelen van 2000 in Sydney won Marcel met de estafetteploeg de
bronzen medaille. In 2001 verscheen het boek ‘De macht van water', waarin de
loopbaan van Marcel indrukwekkend wordt beschreven. In 2003 is Marcel in
dienst getreden bij de Nederlandse zwembond als jeugdbondscoach. Op dit
moment in Marcel coach bij het Nationaal Zweminstituut in Eindhoven. |
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