With twice gold, twice silver and twice bronze, the World Cup in Tokyo goes the books as the most successful World Cup athletics ever for the Netherlands. But according to head coach Laurent Meuwly, it was the worst World Cup ever in terms of organization.
Femke Bol was not aware of it in Tokyo on Sunday evening. “Really, was this our most successful World Cup ever? And Sifan Hassan is not even participating this year,” she said laughing with a bronze medal of the 4×400 meter relay on her neck. “Normally, Sifan is also good for some two medals.”
The Dutch athletes grabbed one silver medal more in Tokyo more than on the previous ‘Record-WK’, two years ago in Budapest. On the medal level, the Netherlands finished fourth, behind Canada, Kenya and the unapproachable United States.
“Our goal was four medals and we now have six,” Meuwly concluded satisfied. “We are the best country in Europe and the number four in the world. And that in the second most competitive sport in the world. Only football is still above athletics. Not bad, right?”
The success of Tokyo is not in itself. In recent years, Dutch athletes are increasingly winning at European Championships and World Cups. And that ensures a different status within international athletics, Meuwly notes.
“A foreign colleague once said to me: American coaches don’t greet you until the moment you beat them. Well, there are quite a few Americans who say hello to us. We have enforced respect.”
‘Athleteshotel was too full’
Given the circumstances in Tokyo, it might be extra clever that the Dutch athletes were so successful at the World Cup. According to Meuwly, the tournament was an organizational disaster, while a record number of Dutch athletes participated (53). The medical and sporting guidance team was put to the test. “I have been around for years and this was the worst World Cup ever in terms of organization,” said Meuwly.
The Swiss in Dutch Service was referring to, among other things, the Warming-Upbaan site. During the Games four years ago it was right next to the stadium, but not anymore. Shortly before a competition, athletes had to take a big bus ride.
“Athletes had to travel by bus for about half an hour. That is physically risky when you’ve just finished the warm-up or are done with a competition.”
Meuwly was also disappointed by the huge athleteshotel, in which all about two thousand athletes and the guidance staff stay. “The first few days it was way too full and noisy. Athletes couldn’t find any rest. And they sometimes had to wait a long time for the elevator. It was a big challenge not to get stressed.”
Meuwly hopes that the international athletics federation World Athletics, and in particular chairman Sebastian Coe, is aware of the poor organization. “Coe is always enthusiastic. He shouts after every World Cup that it was better than the previous World Cup. I am curious what he will say now.”
With Two Golds, Two Silvers, and Two Bronzes, The World Championships in Tokyo Will Go Down in the Books As The Most Successful World Athletics Championships Ever For The Netherlands. But accordance to head coach Laurent Meuwly, it was the sausage world championships ever in Terms of Organization.
Femke Bol was not aware of this on Sunday Evening in Tokyo. “Really, this our most successful world championships ever? And Sifan Hassan isn’t participating this year,” She Said, Laughing with a Bronze Medal from the 4×400 meter Relay Around Her Neck. “Normally, Sifan is also good for one or two medals.”
The Dutch Athletes in Tokyo won a Total of One More Silver Medal Than At The Previous ‘Record-Breaking World Championships’ Two Years ago in Budapest. In The Medal Table, The Netherlands Finished Fourth, Behind Canada, Kenya, and the Insurmountable United States.
“Our goal was four medals, and we now have Six,” Meuwly Concluded with Satisfaction. “We are the best country in Europe and the Number Four in the World. And that’s in the Second Most Competitive Sport in the World. Only Soccer Is Above Athletics. Not Bad, Right?”
The Success of Tokyo is not an isolated incident. In recent years, Dutch Athletes have leg winning more and more of at European Championships and World Championships. And that creates a different status within international athletics, meuwly notes.
“A Foreign Colleague Once Said to Me: American Coaches Don’t Greet You Until the Moment You Beat Them. Well, In The MeanMe, There Are Quite a Few Americans who Say Hello to Us. We have earned respect.”
‘Athlete Hotel was too crowded’
Given the circumstances in Tokyo, it may be even remarkable that the Dutch athletes were so successful at the world championships. Accordance to Meuwly, The Tournament was An Organizational Disaster, While A Record Number of Dutch Athletes Partipated (53). The Medical and Sports Support Team was Doubly Tested. “I’ve Been Around for Years, and this was the sausage world championships ever in Terms of Organization,” Meuwly Said.
The Swiss in Dutch Service was referring, Among Other Things, to the Location of the Warm-Up Track. Duration the games four years ago, it was right next to the stage, but not anymore. Shortly Before a Competition, Athletes had to take a Considerable Bus Ride.
“Athletes had to travel about half an hour by bus. That is physically risky if you have just finished warming up or have finished a competition.”
Meuwly also Disliked the enormous athlete hotel, where all approachately two thousand athletes and support staff Stayed. “The first fews it was far too crowded and noisy. Athletes could find find. And they Sometimes had to wait an extremely long time for the elevator. It was QUITE A CHALLENGE TO GET GET stressed.”
Meuwly Hopes that the International Athletics Federation World Athletics, and in Privular Chairman Sebastian Coe, is Aware of the Poor Organization. “Coe is always Enthusiastic. He says every world championships that it was better than the previous world championships. I’m curious what he’s going to say now.”