Maaike & Brecht are two young up and coming coaches from the Netherlands. We first met the girls back in July when they volunteered for our Track & Field project at the European Athletic Championships.
We saw hundreds of children over 5 days and Maaike and Brecht were an integral part of the team who delivered running, jumping and throwing sessions to all who took part. We have kept in touch with the girls and hope to have them part of the FCN for many more events in the future.
Over the course of the Olympic Games, Maaike and Brecht will be sharing their experience of watching the Games from the comfort of their home in Makkinga (Netherlands) and sharing their excitement of their favourite Olympians from Team Netherlands.
To begin, we asked them a few questions about themselves, which they have written in English – there second language…
Names: Maaike and Brecht van der Vliet
Age: 13 years and 11 years (almost 14 and 12)
Home Town: Makkinga, The Netherlands
Favourite Sports: Especially Athletics and Soccer but we love a lot of sports
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
We live in Makkinga, The Netherlands. In our spare time we like to sport, go to Amsterdam and just have fun with each other. Our favourite subjects at school are gymnastics and English.
Which sports do you take part in?
At school we do all kinds of sports, but in our spare time we are members of a athletics and soccer club.
What is it that you love about sports so much?
That it inspires people to do something with their possibilities and that it shows that if you really want something you can do it.
If you could be an athlete in any sport, which sport would it be?
Hammer throwing (Maaike) , sprint or long-jump (Brecht).
You both volunteered at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam with Spar and the FCN. Can you tell us about your experience and what you did each day?
We really liked to help SPAR and FCN at SPAR Kids Athletics to let children enjoy athletics. But watching the top-athletics was amazing too! Each day we volunteered at SPARK: we invited the children and their parents, we noticed their names and so on. Everyone was happy to take part of it!
What are you most looking forward to during the Olympic Games?
Mostly follow the athletes from the Netherlands! We are proud they participate at Rio and promote sport.
Do you think Dafne Schippers will win Gold?
Brecht thinks she wins the 200 meter , Maaike thinks she wins silver 2 times (100m. and 200m.).
Where will you be watching the Olympics and how will you be cheering on Team Netherlands?
We will watch it at home and at our camping-place. We will cheer so loud that they can hear us in Rio! Go Dutch team!!
Olympic Updates
Maaike & Brecht watch the Opening Ceremony
Day 4
