COLE BAY--Carib Swim Team enjoyed a last-minute surprise visit by Dutch Olympic gold medalists Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Ferry Weertman.
Both Ranomi and Ferry recently announced their retirement from competitive swimming, and were vacationing in St. Maarten. They were nice enough, on their last afternoon on the island, to come to the Carib Swim Team pool and share their experiences with young swimmers. They told stories, answered questions, took pictures with the young athletes, and signed autographs. They are engaged to be married, and are truly one of competitive swimming’s power couples.
Ranomi Kromowidjojo is a four-time Olympic medalist. Her first gold medal came in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as part of the Dutch 4 x 100 free relay. She added three more medals in the 2012 London Olympics, two individual golds in 50 free and 100 free (both Olympic records at the time), and a silver medal in the 4 x 100 free relay. She also competed in the 2016 Rio games and the 2020 (actually 2021) Tokyo games.
Additionally, Ranomi is a 17 time World Champion, and has won a total of 45 medals at various FINA World Championships, including six this last December in Abu Dhabi (including two Gold Medals).
Finally, Ranomi is the current World Record holder in 50 free (short course meters) with a time of 22.93 from 2017. This basically means that she is the fastest female swimmer ever! She also is a part of three current world record relays, with the Dutch 200 free relay, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay.
Ferry, swimming at the other end of the spectrum, is an open water long distance swimmer. As such, he was the Gold Medalist in the 10k swim at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He also qualified for the 2020 Tokyo games.
Additionally, Ferry won a World Championship title in the same event in 2017. He took home two silver medals from the 2015 World Championships in the 10k and the team race. Finally, he is a 5-time European open water champion.
This was truly a special opportunity for the young swimmers, to learn from those that have been at the pinnacle in the sport. The young swimmers were very both appreciative and inspired.
Carib Swim Team is hosting its annual Ballerina Jewelers Sweetheart Invitational this weekend, Saturday and Sunday February 12-13th at the Carib Swim Team pool.
