van GANSEWINKEL Marlene

Classification
T64 (IPC, 26 Mar 2021)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)

Impairment Details
She was born without her left forearm and the lower part of her left leg. She also has an impairment to her right hand. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019; uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019; mvgansewinkel.nl, 20 Apr 2015)

General
BURNOUT
She suffered from burnout in the late part of 2019 after a tiring but successful 2019 season. "I was completely exhausted. It was no longer possible, both physically and mentally. I couldn't concentrate at all. I forgot about training, and I no longer knew how certain training exercises went. It gives me courage for the future, I was able to run fast while I felt bad. I was so tired, I didn't even want to start the [2019] world championships final of the 100m anymore. I was at the start and just thought, 'I don't want to be here, I want to sleep'. Yes, of course I am happy with those medals afterwards, but people did not see the story behind them." (bndestem.nl, 29 Feb 2020)

EARLY DAYS
She competed against able-bodied children in a number of sports growing up and did not want to receive special treatment due to her impairment. "I wanted to do the sports that my classmates did, and I wanted to do it in the normal way because my prosthesis makes almost anything possible. I cycled on a regular bicycle, not on a modified one. I once rode it for a total of three days. That's how I wanted to play football too, not at a club for the disabled. The only sport where I had to join a special association was horse riding. They were too careful with me there, which wasn't necessary at all. That may have been ignorance, but my riding lessons didn't last long." (uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019)

MOVE TO AMSTERDAM
She followed her coach Guido Bonsen when he relocated his training base from Papendal to Amsterdam, Netherlands. In October 2017 the pair, alongside Dutch Para sprinter Fleur Jong, founded the Team Para Atletiek club in Amsterdam, Netherlands. "By following Guido I did not opt for certainty. I swam a bit against the current, I stood up for myself. This has made me stronger, more independent. That choice was immediately reflected in my performance. I am better in every way, as a person, as a student. I have found my place and I am happier. This has been a very special journey and I am so proud of the team we put together and how we also give back to society." (bndestem.nl, 29 Feb 2020; uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019; ossur.nl, 17 Jan 2019; Facebook profile, 02 Jun 2018; Twitter profile, 20 Oct 2017)