The location makes these Games extra special for the athletes: 'I've also been to the Olympics in Tokyo. Because of Covid, audiences couldn't attend that time. So now hopefully it'll be one big Dutch party in Paris,' explains Jonas de Geus (field hockey). Hermijntje Drenth (rowing) is also looking forward to rowing for a large and familiar audience: 'Because the Games are in Paris, it's accessible for friends and family to come and watch. I haven't rowed in a tournament before where there were so many acquaintances on the side.'

Her fellow rower Mick Makker is also looking forward to the size of the Games: 'To experience the greatness of the Games, to be a part of that and to be able to share that with my teammates and, most importantly, with my loved ones (watching from the side).'

Top sports at the UvA

The UvA helps Olympians to get this far by making it possible to combine studies with high-level competitive sports. It's not easy to qualify for this, but each year about 60 students do qualify (for regular or project status), including international students and students who do non-Olympic sports. Read more about help for top-class athletes.