The Netherlands sends record squad to Paris Olympics

The Netherlands is sending a record 276 athletes to the summer Olympics in Paris, which early next weekend, the Dutch sports body NOC*NSF has told news website Nu.nl.

The biggest group – 47 – will take part in track and field events, up four on three years ago. In total, 33 Dutch men and women will take part in the rowing competition, and 33 make up the hockey squad.

The number of female athletes outstrips the men by 162 to 114, Nu.nl said. The youngest qualifier is 18-year-old breakdancer India Sardjoe, the oldest is equestrian Hans Peter Minderhoud, who is 50.

The Netherlands’ best chance of medals are in rowing, cycling (road and track), sailing, hockey and athletics but several other events, including swimming, equestrianism and judo could produce surprises.

Data agency Gracenote says the Netherlands could win up to 34 medals at the Paris Olympics, and 17 of those could be gold.

The puts haul the Netherlands into ninth place on the virtual medals tablewith only the US, China and host nation France predicted to win more golds.

The Netherlands won a record 36 medals at the Tokyo games in 2021.