“You become very aware of your body”

“I am an elite athlete 24/7”

I am doing what I enjoy most: cycling at a breathtaking pace. That is my passion. At the same time, it is my profession. It is something that I am doing fulltime, and so much more than that. I am an elite athlete 24/7. I am always busy with it, when I am sitting on the couch at home, when I am on vacation. With eating, training, sleeping, getting rested, recovering. Sport is my number one priority. Being an elite athlete is a profession in itself which you have to learn. I learned a lot from Nils van ’t Hoenderdaal. We have been living in the same house for a while. He is four years older than I am and he was already part of the team in 2016 in Rio. He taught me what it is to be an elite athlete. You have to do and not to do all kinds of things, in addition to tough trainings. It is relatively easy for me. I have an enormous drive and passion for sport. That helps.

I have been active in sport since childhood. When I was six years old, I went cycling on the BMX. When I was twelve, I became Dutch champion. When I was fourteen, I became European champion. Around that age, I started to think about a career as an elite athlete. Some time before, BMX had become an Olympic sport. I thought it would be nice to go to the Olympics. That dream collapsed when I had to quit BMX cycling. I had already been struggling with injuries for two years. I could not manage it with my shoulders. I have been operated four times. When I fell during a race and both of my shoulders dislocated, that was it. My disappointment did not last for a long time. I fell on Saturday, quit on Monday and on Wednesday, I had my first presence at the track. The coaches at Papendal, where I lived at that time, had seen my talent and eagerly wanted me to join them.

The effect has been quite positive, even though I did not know much about track cycling at that moment. I did not even know who Theo Bos was. That is bad. My best tournament ever were the 2020 World Championships in Berlin. Then I became world champion three times: in the sprint, the team sprint and the Keirin. The World Championships in Apeldoorn were an epic experience as well. We became the world champions with the team sprint, performing for our own audience. Everyone was standing up on the benches. That is great about elite sport, celebrating together with your fans. But that is not the only thing. The idea that the hard work pays off, is appealing too. And elite sport is fair. When you have done everything you could and you win, it is great as well. When you have done everything you could and someone else wins, it is all right as well. Then the other one is simply better. I respect that.

Sport had not only brought me many successes, but it has taught me a lot as well. For instance, discipline. What I also like, is that you become very aware of your own body. You know exactly when you have to perform to the max, when you have to take your rest, how you have to deal with your injuries, what your body does during a training. And you learn how to work in a team. I don’t know where I will be in ten years from now. That depends on many elements. Whether you stay injury-free, whether you still feel the passion. But I would regret it if I left behind everything I have learned with track cycling. But perhaps I am amidst a societal career at that time.

I am studying very hard indeed. First physics, now business administration. It was impossible to combine physics with elite sport. In the end, I transferred to another study. A pity indeed. Physics suits me, I am a scientific type of student. You also notice this in my sport career. I am calculating and I consider things. Aerodynamics, something we are confronted with as track cyclists, is pure physics. I find this interesting. But I also find business administration interesting. That is a precondition. That is how it works with elite sport as well. You have to enjoy sport. And you have to enjoy elite sport. You may as well quit if it does not make you happy.”

the profession of the elite athlete

“Being an elite athlete is a profession that you have to master”

Harrie Lavreysen

Harrie Lavreysen is doing what he enjoys most: cycling at a breathtaking pace. First as BMX cyclist, now as track cyclist. It only made him better and he is almost unbeatable. He became world champion in the sprint and team sprint for three consecutive years. He won three medals in Tokyo, of which two gold medals. Lavreysen is quickly moving to become a phenomenon, although he is not involved in that hype himself. Cycling first and then he will see what comes next.

“If I still know what it means to lose? Sure, it is always in the back of my mind. You have two options during each race: winning or losing. I always try not to be too occupied. With neither of the two. I start at the beginning during each tournament. I observe the options per match. I did so as well in Tokyo. I won gold in the sprint and team sprint there. I was so disappointed about the bronze medal in the Keirin. Perhaps I could have become second, but second or third place does not matter. It does not count at that moment. It does not matter until a couple of days later, when you feel less emotional. The sprint and team sprint were extremely heavy. I was already happy that I had accomplished the finals of the Keirin. But when you are in and you know that you are the fastest in fact, then you want to win. Looking back, I am content about it. I cannot blame myself for anything.

The profession of the elite athlete

“In elite sport, you can confront yourself in a harsh way. The fact that I experienced this when I was 26 years old, that I fought back and that I have accomplished this once again, truly made me mature”

It goes without saying that you are extremely focused on sport during the preparation of games like the Olympics. But sport definitely is a fulltime living for me already. I am involved in it every day, perhaps even very moment of the day. It is a profession, but a very pleasant one indeed. I travel to my profession with great pleasure. However, I have also experienced transitions in my career. From sport as a hobby, towards becoming a talent, towards a true elite athlete. I had to navigate my way here. I grew up in a family where everyone had pursued an academic career. I tried this myself as well. I studied law for a while, but my sport physician also concluded after a couple of months: you cannot combine this. The combination was difficult in terms of hours, but I did not feel comfortable with it as well. I did not have a lot of energy. So I quit the studies. I found it interesting and I saw around me how others combined an education together with sport. But it did not work out for me. I have found that hard for a long time. I did not feel complete, because I was ‘only engaged in sport’. In the meantime, I have accepted that I only focus on my elite career at present. Many of my friends pursue an education or they have studied and will start working afterwards, but I do all this just a bit differently.

Most people know this indeed: two years ago, I fell down to my knees very hard. All doubts and worries about the future, the stress that elite sport causes. I did not see a way out anymore for a while after which I quit temporarily at that time. I slowly found my way back to the top, assisted by a sport psychologist. The first contact I had with him was quite comforting. He recognized the image of other elite athletes and said with so many words: ‘You will be all right’. I had to go back to the basics, I wondered: What truly makes me happy? It may sound simple, but you forget this sometimes. Because of the tough training sessions and all the stress, from yourself and from the outside world. I had to deal with that in a different way. It was quite important for me to keep things simple and in an organized way. I turned elite sport into something extremely big and intense which is true indeed. But on the other hand: if I have done all I could to perform well, then I cannot blame myself and I will see where I end up. I have also learned to set smaller targets. As an elite athlete, you tend to quickly focus on the final goal: the Olympics. However, four years pass by under normal circumstances, which is such a long time away. Right now, I only look ahead for a week or a month at times. For instance, I only focus on something in my technique that I want to address during the training.

I am more at ease during large games now. I am still nervous, but I also experience a tranquility, I can let go things more easily now. That also applies to the way I regard my future, my life after the elite career. I accept that I will not start any studies until I have completed my current elite career and that ‘elite sport only’ is quite something indeed. In addition, I develop a lot of skills with it as well. Perseverance and tenacity, only quit when the job is done. Of course, these are characteristics that an elite athlete can bring along in particular. But also have a look at the bad moments that I have experienced. You can confront yourself in a very harsh way in elite sport. The fact that I experienced this when I was 26 years old, that I fought back and that I have accomplished this once again, truly made me mature. Then, you make great progress as a person. I will be all right. I do it my way and I am proud of my accomplishments up till now. That would also be my advice to all young athletes: choose your own way and do not compare too much with others. It will not help you at all.”

“Sport is a fulltime living for me. I am involved in it every day, perhaps even every moment of the day”

“I am somebody who uses many words to express myself, but if I am asked how I look back at the Tokyo Olympics, I am actually speechless for a moment. I am very proud, but it still feels a bit unreal. An Olympic medal, that has always been a final goal of course. The fact that I have accomplished this all in a sudden, is something that I can hardly believe up till now. I cherish wonderful memories from the entire event. Of course, we knew it would be different than any other event, without an audience. But the organization itself was quite good. The volunteers were enthusiastic and friendly every day. The spirit within TeamNL was great as well. I even thought that the team spirit was even more profound now than during Rio 2016. Perhaps, it was partly because of the circumstances amidst COVID-19, since there was hardly any distraction and, as a result of this, the TeamNL participants went to meet each other more often. Additionally, many of these athletes practice at Papendal nowadays. You regularly meet each other throughout the year, which makes a difference as well. And you recognize the orange color quite soon as well in one of the food corners, I say smiling.

Talking about Dutch elite athletes, this is one of the most heroic stories of Tokyo 2020. Anouk Vetter won silver in the all-round competition. Whilst two years ago, it was clear for her that her elite career was over. That elite sport would not yield any results anymore. By having a break, together with a close look at herself, and allowing herself to think differently, she regained having fun in her sport and her performances came back as well. Vetter is a fulltime elite athlete. Because she is experiencing the best years of her career, sport is her number one priority and she has deliberately chosen to refrain from any other activities at this moment. “Everyone performs in a different way which suits him or her best. For instance, some are quite able indeed to pursue an education in addition to their sport. It did not work out for me. I have been worried about this for a long time, but I have learned to let it go for now.”

“I am more at ease than I used to be, I will be fine”

Anouk Vetter

The profession of the elite athlete

Being an elite athlete means absolute dedication to me. Both in practices and in everything around it. Before Rio 2016, I was in a height tent three times for a period of four weeks. Twelve to sixteen hours a day. My girlfriend thought it was not ideal. And it was quite boring at times. Before Tokyo, I practiced quite a lot in a climate chamber to get used to the extreme temperatures there. It turned out to be all right in the end, but I was well-prepared. I do what it takes to deliver maximum performance. Making choices is part of it. This means no celebrations and parties. And with COVID-19, I did not want to run any risk to be infected by the virus. Thus, your loved-ones will have to cooperate. It requires a lot from them. Now, just after the Olympic Games, I have the time to be relaxed and to do things together.

Tokyo felt as one race. The goal was winning three gold medals. I succeeded. I was happy and relieved. You have to prove yourself. I am proud as well. Not so much of myself, but even more of all the people around me. They assisted me to arrive at the start in a perfect shape. Of course, it is wonderful to cross the finish line alone, but only whilst realizing that we did it all together. The races themselves not necessarily determine the beauty of being an elite athlete. I enjoy training, constantly becoming stronger. I went to Italy and Namibia for a high-altitude training. Then, you practice together with other elite athletes amidst the beautiful environment. I think this life is super cool. I will continue for a while. I will quit after Paris. I just have to find a spark as regards which I do everything it takes. The spark for Tokyo was three gold medals. I don’t have anything yet as of now, but it will come.

I regularly visit rehabilitation centers in addition to sport. I am an ambassador for Move Forward, an initiative to get people with a disability moving. I tell them who I am, what I have done and how I started hand biking. A training is often included as well. Then I bring along several hand bikes and people can familiarize themselves with it. It is cool to observe how they open their eyes: Wow, there are truly cool things I can do, even though I am in a wheelchair. They experience a new sense of freedom. It would be great if hand biking became more accessible and better known. What I understand from Tokyo is that cyclists complimented hand bikers quite often with the following words: ‘Super cool, a hand bike! Now I see a real one.’ That is a start. You can make the difference as an elite athlete, no matter how small the difference is. I do this with great joy. Additionally, I have been an advocate for the Healthy Generation recently. It is wonderful to contribute to this initiative together with other elite athletes.

I am not sure what will happen upon completion of my elite career. In the past, I wanted to become a prosthetist. I experienced myself what could all go wrong, and I wanted to improve that. Elite sport came in between. I dream about my own academy, with young talents whom I can help. Not so much with financial means, but especially with my experience. That I can show them how I handled things, both in sport, giving clinics, dealing with the media, being an elite athlete. It still has to be shaped and formed, but I am heading in that direction. I do not want to be one of the very many ships which sails in the same direction as all the other ships. It truly has to add something to everything that has already been developed. Either way, it does not matter to me.”

“You can make the difference as an elite athlete, no matter how small the difference is”

“How do you become an elite athlete? Well, it is a process. You are good at something, you are passionate and you improve yourself. That is how it happened with me. I had finished my studies and I started working for a supplier of wheelchairs and hand bikes. Parttime, so that I could practice a lot and improve myself even more. I obtained the A-status in 2011, what actually means that you are a professional elite athlete. I quit my job and I started to focus completely on the sport. That did not work out all too well. I did not want to solely focus on myself the entire time. I need the distraction, so I started working again one day a week. I quit when I started to give more clinics over time and when I acquired sponsor activities.

“I enjoy training, constantly becoming stronger”

He won the gold and bronze medals in Rio. In Tokyo gold, gold and gold. How can you beat this in Paris? Hand biker and para-triathlete Jetze Plat still has to find the spark. Something which drives him and as regards which he does everything it takes. He has not found this spark yet, but it will happen just like that. He continues in any case. He loves his life as an elite athlete. Subsequently, he may start with his own academy. It still has to be shaped and formed, but he truly wants to help young talents with his experience.

“Being an elite athlete means absolute dedication to me”

Jetze Plat

The profession of the elite athlete

At the same time, it’s not occupational therapy. We do this to improve ourselves and to perform in the best possible way. My main goal for now are the Paralympic Games in Milan in 2026. I have already earned silver and bronze. One medal color is still missing. In the near future, I aim to defend my world title in the banked slalom and snowboard cross. I have become double world champion twice. Those have been the best moments of my career up till now. That’s why you perform as an elite athlete. Additionally, being in the snow every day is a gift. I love to practice sport in nature. It does not feel as my profession. I observe and experience it as a hobby. Can you imagine how wonderful it is to be on top of a mountain and then you slide down the hill with the wind in your ears? If that’s called work, then I want to work till I am hundred years old.

What looks more like work, and what I think is great and exciting at the same time, is that we have been given the freedom from the federation to largely schedule our program ourselves. That will involve planning and scheduling. What also plays a role in the background is that we have a small para snowboarding team as opposed to previous years. We’ll see how we are going to shape the upcoming seasons and who or what we need in that respect. We may build a team around us as regards coaching and support. Hopefully, new talents will join us as well. This is a new approach to us and a wonderful learning experience. I think that it can turn out quite positively. On our way to new highlights.

Though Beijing 2022 did not bring performances, it brought something else indeed. Chris and I were asked to carry the Dutch flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony. I felt very honored. I did not see it coming. We had a meeting with our chef de mission Esther Vergeer at a certain moment. Why do we actually have this meeting? I wondered. Then it became clear to me. On the one hand, they had selected us thanks to our performances. On the other hand, because we do a lot for the sport and the sport’s development. I considered that a wonderful compliment. I will not easily forget the moment itself. I still see myself walking in front of the Dutch team and entering the stadium. That truly was a moment of joy.”

“Can you imagine how wonderful it is to be on top of a mountain and then you slide down the hill with the wind in your ears? If that’s called work, then I want to work till I am hundred years old”

“I felt truly honored to carry the Dutch flag into the stadium”

“I had to recover after Beijing 2022. A Paralympic year is quite intense. Focusing towards the Olympics and everything is dominated by performing. Additionally, we were amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I have barely seen friends and family, also because I was traveling a lot for my sport. I was ready for a break. I traveled in Norway with a camper for seven weeks with my boyfriend Chris – he is also a boarder and member of the Paralympic TeamNL. Nature is so beautiful there. I have often thought: It can’t be more beautiful than this. Then you turn and it is even better. You may park your camper everywhere and you can sleep anywhere you like. The only thing is that you have to keep a distance of 150 meters from a home. But you won’t see those in nature. In Norway, I became increasingly aware of the fact that I wanted to continue with snowboarding. I will add another Paralympic cycle.

The fun part is that I improve myself. You have to if your profession is being an elite athlete. Otherwise, others will reap the rewards. Improving yourself also relates to developments with regard to snowboards and prosthetics. I cannot do anything anymore with the prosthesis that I used in my races six years ago. It has to be developed along with you. I am in contact with my prosthetics constructor on a regular basis. If I have the idea that I don’t make progress, then I notify him and we see together what’s possible. You also improve yourself from training well. We do so in the snow during the winter season, and at Papendal during the summer season. Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to recovery trainings and cross-over sports. Those are all sports that help to become a better snowboarder, such as skateboarding, paddle boarding, mountain biking and surfing. When we go surfing, then we search for the waves and we drive to the coast. It sounds like a good life and it is indeed. The variety makes it fun.

The Bunschoten family wanted to go on a ski holidays in 2009. However, Lisa was not able to fit her shoe in a solid ski shoe. “Try a soft snowboard shoe”, her brother advised her. They were at a dry ski slope in Nieuwegein a couple of days later and shortly afterwards in the Austrian snow. Three years later, she had her first races and she went to the Paralympic Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. She earned silver and bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018 but she did not earn a medal in Beijing 2022. Things can change, but she certainly has a wonderful life.

“If you don’t improve yourself, then others will reap the rewards”

Lisa Bunschoten