“I did it all for us.”
Sharon van Rouwendaal’s Journey to Paris
When marathon swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal arrived in Paris for the Olympic Games this year, her mind was filled with many thoughts. Winning gold was her primary goal, just as she did at the 2016 Olympics. But this time, her motivation was different—she wanted to win for Rio.
A Tribute to Rio
Rio was van Rouwendaal’s beloved dog and best friend, likely named after her victory in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. They shared everything, and she cherished him deeply. Tragically, just a few months before the Olympics, Rio passed away unexpectedly, leaving van Rouwendaal heartbroken.
“Today I need to say goodbye to my little man who has given me the best feeling in the world, better than any medal I ever won, better than any swimming moment I have ever experienced,” van Rouwendaal wrote on Instagram after Rio’s passing. “You are and always will be the most important thing in my life.”
Competing with a Heavy Heart
Despite her immense loss, van Rouwendaal went to Paris with a heavy heart but a renewed sense of determination. Her only wish was to honor Rio’s memory by winning gold for the Netherlands.
A Victory in Rio’s Memory
And that’s exactly what she did. Van Rouwendaal secured the gold medal in the women’s 10 km open water marathon. As she emerged from the water, she pointed to the paw-shaped tattoo on her wrist and cried, overwhelmed with emotion.
A Reason That Lives On
Athletes compete in the Olympics for various reasons. For van Rouwendaal, her reason will always live on in her heart. “I did it all for us,” she wrote, dedicating her victory to Rio.