After 2.5 years in China, Theo Bos is back in the Netherlands. The five -time world champion became a quantity in track cycling, but is now the national coach of the BMX people. An interview about failed bets and talk about human rights in Beijing.
Bos was not afraid as a track and road cyclist. But after six months in the BMX world, he knows that the adrenaline border in his new sport is a lot higher.
During a training camp in Sarrian’s in France, Bos offered its riders 50 euros if they wanted to sit in a local fair in a slingshot traction. “Well, they only thought that was beautiful,” says Bos Laughing in conversation with NU.nl.
Between 2002 and 2021, the 41-year-old Hierdenaar grew into one of the most successful Dutch track sprinters ever. He also won 37 races on the road. He never did BMXs. Yet last winter Bos opted for an adventure as a national coach in the branch of cycling for him.
His first impression? “It is bizarre that from a height that is equivalent to the roof of a house with everything you have downwards and you get speeds of 60 kilometers per hour within 2.5 seconds. After which you immediately get a bump and fly meters through the air again. BMX’ers are absolute artists on the bike.”
World Cup Papendal
The Dutch public can see Theo Bos in action for the first time this weekend as a national coach, at the World Cup at Papendal. Laura Smulders won on Saturday with the women. On Sunday the BMX people will play again at Papendal.
Bos will pay dinner by lost bets
Bos has not yet dared to get rid of the 8 -meter -high starting hill at Sportcentrum Papendal. He did get a BMX bicycle from his pupil Jaymio Brink. “My riders have to laugh a lot when I drive on that, because of course it doesn’t look.”
During the training internship in Sarrians, Bos tried to start a job for children from a lower hill. “The bet was that the riders had to put some money in the pot if I could jump over one – according to them – very easily. But with my first attempt I almost went on my record. So then rider Mitchel Schotman said:” Theo, don’t do it. “
This bet also cost Bos money. “At the end of the year we can pay a nice dinner with all the trimmings,” he says laughing.
Bos is fine. His first season as a BMX national coach is dominated by getting to know a “new world”. “Before I signed, I thought: is it wise to become a coach in a sport that is technically different? But I think I can add something with my gaze from outside.”
Niek Kimmann
Niek Kimmann is not participating in Papendal this weekend. The Olympic Champion of 2021 missed the Paris Games last year due to an inflamed heart muscle and is still rehabilitating. Theo Bos: “Niek is building up in peace. And that goes very well.”
Bos learned to be patient in China
Like so many top athletes, Bos only started to think of a career as a coach at the end of his career. He then received an offer in 2021 to become the national coach of the Baanprinters in China. For example, Bos left in the middle of the Coronapandemie for Beijing for his first job as a trainer.
He immediately had to Quarantine for three weeks. “As a result, I had plenty of time to undermine my training plan. I was inspired by skater Nils van der Poel, the Olympic champion on the 5 and 10 kilometers. After the Beijing Olympic Games, he put a document online with the title How to Skate A 10K . So I also made a book.”
Bos’ starting point was the training schedule of the very successful Dutch track sprinters. That approach came across resistance. “In China they still believe in the vision from the Soviet time: very hard training. On our training base in Beijing I regularly came across Olympic shooters in the hall in the evening. They were still working on their gun.”
“I learned in China to listen carefully, to be patient and to make a plan together. They found that difficult, because Chinese athletes were not trained to give feedback.”
In general there is less freedom in China. Have you doubted to work in Beijing because of the human rights situation there?
“Of course I talked about that in advance. And during my 2.5 years in China I tried to talk to my staff and the riders about human rights. I asked them if they knew the story of the student uprising in 1989 on Tiananmenplein. Or to their vision of Hong Kong and Taiwan.”
“I have learned that the Chinese have a strict idea about that. As a Dutchman with Western glasses you can easily say that it is wrong what China has done. You can also try to move in the Chinese and ask where their ideas come from. In the end we are all on this planet. And we are all people with the same emotions.”
You don’t regret that you went to China afterwards?
“No. It was a super experience.”
After the Paris Games, where the Chinese men’s team finished sixth in the team sprint, Bos in Beijing’s contract ended. Via he heard that Cycling Association KNWU was looking for a BMX national coach and after a number of conversations he joked.
“It was time to go back to the Netherlands. My parents are not the very young, so it’s nice to be able to spend more time with them.”
Bos has a contract for one year at the KNWU, but the intention is to continue until Los Angeles 2028. There, the Netherlands can take a medal at the BMX for the fifth Olympic Games in a row.
“We are already doing fantastic in this sport,” says Bos. “I didn’t have to start from scratch. And for the past six months I have seen how motivated this BMX team is. I would love to help them win another medal in LA.”
After 2.5 years in China, Theo Bos is back in the Netherlands. The Five-Time World Champion Became a Great in Track Cycling, But is Now the National Coach of the BMX Riders. An interview about failed bets and talking about Human Rights in Beijing.
Bos was not Easily Scared as a Track and Road Cyclist. But After Six Months in the BMX World, He knows that the adrenaline threshold in His New Sport is equally Higher.
Duration A Training Camp in Sarrians, France, Bos Offered His Riders 50 euros If they wanted to sit in a catapult attraction at a local fair. “Well, they just liked that,” Bos Says Laughing in Conversation with Nu.nl.
The 41-Year-old from Hierden Grew Between 2002 and 2021 Into One of the Most Successful Dutch Track Sprinters Ever. He also won 37 races on the road. He never did bmx. Yet Last Winter Bos Opted for an Adventure as a National Coach in the branch of cycling that was unknown to him.
His First Impression? “It’s bizarre that you sprint down from a height equal to the roof of a house with everything you have and reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour 2.5 seconds. After which you immediately get a bump and flyther’s absolough artist on the bike.”
World Cup Papendal
The Dutch Public Can See Theo Bos in Action as National Coach for the First Time This Weekend, at the World Cup in Papendal. Laura Smulders won on Saturday in the Women’s Race. The BMX Riders Will Be In Action Again on Sunday at Papendal.
Forest Will Pay for Dinner Due to Lost Bets
Bos has not yet dared to go down the 8-meter high starting hill at the papendal sports center himself. He has recovered a bmx bike from his pupil Jaymio Brink. “My riders have to laugh a lot when I ride it, because or course it does not look good.”
Duration the Training Camp in Sarrians, Bos Tried to Start from a Lower Hill on a Course for Children. “The bet was that the riders had to put some money in the pot IF I Could Jump over a – Accordance to them – very easy bump. But on my first attempt i almost fell on my face. So then rider mitchel shot man Said.” “Don’t do it.”
This bet also cost forest money. “At the end of the year we can pay for a nice dinner with all the trimmings thanks to me,” he says laughing.
Forest is fine with it. His First Season As BMX National Coach is All About Getting to Know A “New World”. “Before I signed, I did think: is it wise to Become a coach in a sport that is technically complete different? But I think that with my outside view I can add something.”
Niek Kimmann
Niek Kimmann is not participating in Papendal This Weekend. The 2021 Olympic Champion Missed the Paris Games Last Year Due to An Inflamed Heart Muscle and Is Still Recovering. Theo Bos: “Niek is building up in peace and quiet. And that is going very well.”
Bos Learned to Be Patient in China
Like So Many Top Athletes, Bos Only started thinking about a career as a coach at the end of his career. He then’s recurred an sacrifice in 2021 to Become the National Coach of the Track Sprinters in China. Bos then Left for Beijing in the middle of the Corona Pandemic for his first job as a trainer.
Hey Imediately had to quarantine for three weeks. “That gave me plenty of time to write out my training plan Complety. I was inspired by skater nils van der poel, the Olympic Champion in the 5 and 10 kilometers. After the Beijing Olympics, he put a Document Online Entitledledleded a 10k . SO I also MADE MADE A BOOKT.”
Bos’ Starting Point was the Schedule of the Very Successful Dutch Track Sprinters. That approach with with resistance. “In China They Still Believe in The Vision from the Soviet Era: Train Very Hard. At Our Training Base in Beijing, I Regularly Came Across Olympic Shooters in the Hallway in the Evening. They were still working with their pistols.”
“In China I Have Learned to Listen CareFully, Be Patient and Make A Plan Together. They found that diffress, because Chinese Athletes are not trained to give feedback.”
In General, there is Less Freedom in China. Did you Hesitation to work in Beijing Because of the Human Rights Situation There?
“Or Course I Talked About It Beforehand. And Duration My 2.5 Years in China I Tried To Talk About Human Rights with Staff and the Riders. I Asked them If they knew the Story of the Student Uprising in 1989 on Tiananmen Square.”
“I have learned that chinese people have a strict idea about that. As a dutchman with a western perspective, you can easy say that what china has done is wrong. You can also to put yourself in the shoes of the chinese and ask yourse theiry where’s own theiryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy’s and Asky? This planet together.
Do you regret going to China afterwards?
“No. it was a super experience.”
After the Paris Games, Where the Chinese Men’s Team Finished Sixth in the Team Sprint, Bos’ contract in Beijing Expired. Hed Heard Through The Grapevine That Cycling Association KNWU was Looking for a BMX National Coach and After a Number of Talks He Bit the Bullet.
“It was time to go to the Netherlands. My parents are not the youngste anymore, so it’s nice to be able to spend more time with them.”
Forest has a one-year contract with the knwu, but the intention is to continue until los angeles 2028. There, the Netherlands can win a medal at the bmx for the fifth Olympic games in a row.
“We are already doing great in this sport,” Says Bos. “I Didn’t Have To Start from Scratch. And over the Past Six Months I Have Seen How Motivated This BMX Team is. I would love to help Them Win Another Medal in LA.”