Dutch Swimmer Dedicates Olympic Gold To Late Pet Dog

Sharon van Rouwendaal from Netherlands gained the 10km marathon swim on the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, August 8. She dedicates the win to her beloved pet dog, Rio, who handed away in Might of this yr.

Rouwendaal’s Pomeranian dog, Rio, was named after the 2016 Rio Olympics, the place the Dutch swimmer first gained her Olympic Gold on the 10km marathon swim.

We Fee Canines revealed that Rio handed away on account of issues from a lung surgical procedure.

On Might 7, Rouwendaal wrote a heartfelt message for Rio on Instagram, saying, “Immediately I must say goodbye to my little man who has given me the most effective feeling on the earth, higher than any medal I ever gained, higher than any swimming second I’ve ever skilled.“

The Olympic champion mentioned that her pet dog is crucial factor in her life. She even revealed that she purchased a home for her and Rio to reside in proper after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

So, when the pooch handed away, Rouwendaal tells EuroSport that her “world stopped” and he or she “didn’t wish to swim”.

However Rouwendaal’s father informed her to proceed swimming and to “do it for him [Rio]”. She added, “And I needed to swim yet another Olympics for him.”

Speaking to We Fee Canines, Rouwendaal mentioned she acquired a paw tattoo in honor of Rio. “So I had a tattoo three days after the cremation and I mentioned, ‘Let’s attempt it and I’ll swim for him with my entire coronary heart’ — and I did it — I gained for him.’”

After successful gold at 2024 Paris Olympics, Rouwendaal emerged from the Seine, crying whereas pointing at and kissing on the paw tattoo on her wrist.

Rouwendaal has gained three consecutive Olympic medals within the 10km marathon swim occasion. She gained gold within the 2016 Rio Olympics, silver within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and gold once more within the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And with Rouwendaal’s latest 2024 Paris Olympic win, she turns into the primary feminine marathon swimmer to win gold at a number of Olympics, Eurosport reveals.

The Olympics additionally reveals that Rouwendaal is the primary athlete ever in marathon swimming to win three medals within the mentioned self-discipline.