Kirsten Vlieghuis
Encyclopedia
Kirsten Vlieghuis is a former freestyle
swimmer from The Netherlands, who won two bronze medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta, Georgia
. She did so in the 400 m and in the 800 m freestyle, under the guidance of the same coach as Pieter van den Hoogenband
, Jacco Verhaeren
.
These were Holland's first Olympic swimming medals since 1988
, when the women's relay team won silver in the 4×100 m freestyle. After a disappointing appearance in the 2000 Summer Olympics
Vlieghuis retired from the sport in 2001.
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
swimmer from The Netherlands, who won two bronze medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. She did so in the 400 m and in the 800 m freestyle, under the guidance of the same coach as Pieter van den Hoogenband
Pieter van den Hoogenband
Pieter Cornelis Ruud Martijn van den Hoogenband is a Dutch former swimmer and a triple Olympic champion.-Personal life:...
, Jacco Verhaeren
Jacco Verhaeren
Jacco Verhaeren is a Dutch swimming coach. He is currently the sporting director of the Dutch swimming team and the Nationaal Zweminstituut Eindhoven. He is best known for guiding Pieter van den Hoogenband and Inge de Bruijn to Olympic gold medals...
.
These were Holland's first Olympic swimming medals since 1988
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea. The swimming competition, held from September 18 to September 25, was notable for the seven medals, including five golds, won by Matt Biondi, the six golds won by Kristin Otto, and the three individual golds won by Janet Evans...
, when the women's relay team won silver in the 4×100 m freestyle. After a disappointing appearance in the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
Vlieghuis retired from the sport in 2001.