Chantalle Zijderveld

Started: She began swimming at age six in 2007 in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands, and started participating in non-Para swimming competitions the following year after watching a team train next to her. She switched to Para swimming after being disqualified from multiple events. "At the age of 10 I was already 11th in the Netherlands among [non-Para] swimmers. Because I was often disqualified on the breaststroke, as you have to tap with both hands, I ended up in the Paralympic world." (Athlete, 29 Aug 2024; janvolwerk.com, 18 Jul 2020; chantallezijderveld.org, 24 Mar 2020; Facebook page, 06 Mar 2019; cruyff-foundation.org, 06 Aug 2018) Reason: She was inspired to compete at an elite level in Para swimming after volunteering at the 2010 World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands. "I realised that I also wanted to be as fast as the athletes who were competing there, and win medals at the highest level. The athletes just inspired me that much." (Facebook page, 06 Mar 2019; paralympic.org, 28 Mar 2018) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (knzb.nl, 27 Jul 2023) Awards: In 2021 she received the Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau [fifth class] for her performances at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Instagram profile, 12 Mar 2024; deschakelbarendrecht.nl, 30 Oct 2021) In 2014 she received a Sporting Talent award in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands. (weekbladdebrug.nl, 21 Jan 2015) Additional Info: RETIREMENT AND COMEBACK She initially retired from elite sport after the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. However, she reversed her decision in 2022 and began working towards the 2024 Paralympic Games. "I always continued to train at a reasonable level and also participated in national competitions. But I started to miss elite sport. My employer understood and was fortunately willing to work on a solution that would allow me to get back on track." (rtlnieuws.nl, 01 Nov 2022) BALANCING SPORT AND STUDY In 2021 she began studying for a bachelor's degree in accounting at Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands. "I combine swimming with my accountancy studies at Nyenrode. That's going very well. I like having something else on my mind. For example, on Fridays I don't train, but I attend lectures. Everything is done in consultation with Bram Dekker, the national coach, and so far I like it." (knzb.nl, 27 Jul 2023) OTHER ACTIVITIES She became an ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation in the Netherlands at age 14. (LinkedIn profile, 31 Dec 2020; chantallezijderveld.org, 03 Apr 2019)