#SuperheroSunday: Marlou van Rhijn
07.06.2015Find out who inspires the Dutch Paralympic, world and European champion, and world record holder, to be the best.
Dutch Paralympic, world and European champion and world record holder, Marlou van Rhijn, gives an insight into her three heroes.
© • Getty Images
It is Superhero Sunday, and who better to hear from than the Netherlands’ star sprinter Marlou van Rhijn, who lowered her own 100m and 200m T43 world records yet again in May.
The Paralympic, world and European champion clocked 25.99 seconds over 200m in her season opener in the Netherlands, then sprinted to victory in both the 100m (12.82) and 200m (25.66) T42-44 two weeks later at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland.
There is no doubt van Rhijn is a hero to many; here the 23-year-old reveals who has helped inspire her on her road to glory.
1. My family
They support me in everything I do –when I was little they drove me to practise, to competitions – to everything. And they would do that if I was an athlete, or if I was to bake cookies all day! It doesn’t matter what I want to do, they will support me. They also keep me grounded – they are amazing.
2. Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid revolutionary)
I think it is so powerful than when people are at their worst, you still find the inner strength to forgive and make the world a better place. Sometimes you get people that don’t like you and the easiest thing to do is to react in a not so nice way. But he is such an amazing example of someone who didn’t put energy in to hate or negativity, but always saw the positives.
3. Allyson Felix (US sprinter – multiple Olympic and world champion)
She is an amazing sprinter, she is so cool, and she wins everything when it is time to win it. She is just really awesome.
Van Rhijn is currently gearing-up for the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, take place between 22-31 October.
