de MOL Joep Paul Eric

General
RIO DISAPPOINTMENT
In the lead-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro he was in the Dutch squad, but was overlooked for selection for the Games. He says it was a difficult moment but that it made him mentally stronger. "That was quite a blow, yes. I was so close. I was not counting on it six months earlier, I was 20 years old and was just with the national squad. I saw Rio as a big bonus. But when I was in the selection [prior to the tournament], I realised that the Olympics were getting very close. It was painful [to not be selected], but I recharged quite quickly. I knew what I had to do: work hard and go full steam ahead for the 2017 European Championship in Amstelveen. I can handle setbacks fairly well. Mentally, I've only gotten stronger in recent years." (ed.nl, 26 Oct 2019)