Sharon Van Rouwendaal

Sharon Van Rouwendaal is a distinguished Olympic gold medalist in open water swimming. After securing four medals at the 2008 European Junior Championships in Belgrade, including gold in the 1500m freestyle, Sharon Van Rouwendaal established herself as a formidable talent in competitive swimming. She continued her early career success by winning gold in the 400m freestyle at the 2009 European Junior Championships in Prague, followed by two silver medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 2010 European Short Course Championships in Eindhoven. Van Rouwendaal finished fifth in the 200m backstroke at the 2010 World Short Course Championships in Dubai and earned a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai.

Demonstrating unparalleled dominance, she reclaimed the women’s 10km open water title at the World Aquatics Championships Doha in 2024 and further solidified her status by securing her second Olympic gold medal in the 10 km open water marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With a career tallying 27 World Aquatics and Olympic medals, Sharon Van Rouwendaal announced her retirement from competitive swimming in September 2025. Beyond the pool, she has set several Dutch national records across various individual and relay events. Post-retirement, Van Rouwendaal intends to remain an active figure in the swimming community by conducting clinics, leading masterclasses, and offering mentorship, sharing her extensive elite-level experience with aspiring athletes.