Marieke Westerhof facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Birth name | Marieke Aleida Westerhof | |||||||||||||
| Born | 14 August 1974 Denekamp |
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| Height | 186 cm | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 75 kg | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Rowing | |||||||||||||
| Club | Algemene Utrechtse Studenten Roeivereniging Orca | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Marieke Aleida Westerhof is a former rower from the Netherlands. She was born on August 14, 1974, in Denekamp, Overijssel. Marieke is best known for winning a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. She competed in the women's eight rowing event.
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Marieke Westerhof: An Olympic Rower
Marieke Westerhof is a talented athlete who represented her country in the sport of rowing. She specialized in team boats, especially the "eight" boat. This boat has eight rowers and one coxswain, who steers the boat.
Early Life and Rowing Career
Marieke was born in Denekamp, a town in the Netherlands. She grew up to be quite tall, standing at 186 centimeters (about 6 feet 1 inch). This height is often an advantage in rowing. She joined the Algemene Utrechtse Studenten Roeivereniging Orca club. This is a student rowing club in Utrecht.
Olympic Games Achievements
Marieke Westerhof competed in two Olympic Games during her career. These are the biggest sports events in the world.
Atlanta 1996 Olympics
Her first Olympic appearance was at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States. Marieke was part of the Dutch women's eight team. Her team worked hard and reached the Olympic final. They finished in sixth place overall. This was a great achievement for the team.
Sydney 2000 Olympics
Four years later, Marieke competed again at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This time, her team performed even better. The Dutch women's eight team won a silver medal. This means they came in second place. It was a very exciting moment for Marieke and her teammates. Winning an Olympic medal is a huge honor for any athlete.
Life After Competitive Rowing
After the 2000 Olympics, Marieke Westerhof retired from competitive rowing. She left a legacy as an Olympic medalist. Her dedication and teamwork inspired many young rowers in the Netherlands.
References
- Dutch Olympic Committee
See also
In Spanish: Marieke Westerhof para niños
