TINKA OFFEREINS, 1993, The Netherlands
Gold medal in the coxless four at the World Rowing Championships 2023
Bronze medal at the 2023 European Rowing Championships and silver medal in the women's 4- and 8+ at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.
What is the main trait of your character?
I am very competitive.
Has it influenced your sports career?
Yes!
What virtue do you wish you had?
Be more patient.
A fun fact about you.
I have been doing athletics all my life (400m hurdles and 800m) until I was twenty-two years old, and I switched to rowing because I got injured a lot.
Do you have a motto for life?
Better to regret something you have done than not having done something.
Your second favorite sport.
Athletics!
Three athletes you admire.
Usain Bolt, Femke Bol and Sifan Hassan, in no particular order.
What is the sporting milestone you remember most?
With my partner Hermijntje Drenth, to get our first medal at the 2022 World Cup in the two without.
How did you become a fan of your sport?
For a Talent Project by former Olympic champion Nico Rienks, called Project2020.
Who helped you the most to achieve your sports dream?
My mother.
Your greatest achievement?
To be world champion 2023 in the 4-!
And your worst failure?
Failure to qualify for Tokyo 2021 at the Olympic qualification regatta in the 8+ in the Netherlands.
What has the sport taught you for life?
To forge stories and memories with wonderful people. You can always do more than you think.
How would you like fans to remember you?
Like a strong and happy t-shirt.
What is the biggest challenge in your sport?
That sometimes it's really boring. And that it can make you feel really insecure because you have to always prove that you are the best and deserve a place in the boat.
What is the most important aspect of any training?
The balance between concentration and relaxation.
Do you have any rituals or hobbies before a competition?
Yes, having a cappuccino with my partner Hermijntje Drenth.
What role has your upbringing played in your sports career?
I studied Human Movement Sciences, and I was very flexible, so I never had much trouble combining it with rowing. Besides, I was not yet a professional rower when I was doing my Master's degree.
And what role has sport played in your education?
Everything, I love sports, that's why I chose a career related to sports.
A tip for the younger ones.
Don't stop having fun as well as training, don't be afraid to make mistakes and say YES to challenges.