Olympic success for UvA students

Seventeen UvA-top sportsman and-women - a judoka, a racing cyclist, eight rowers and seven hockey players – took part in the Olympic Games in Athens, nearly all of them returning with a medal. Racing cyclist Levi Heimans unfortunately was cut out during the first round chase, and although the rowing team of the ‘lightweight four’ was one of the favourites, they came very close to but didn’t get a bronze medal. Judoka Dennis van der Geest went home with a bronze medal, just like the rowers of the ‘eight’. Both the men’s and the women’s hockey teams won silver medals.

Festive reception

On 5 October, after the Paralympics, the Olympic sportsmen and –women of the UvA and the HvA (Institute for Professional Education) will be given a festive reception by the Board. Seven HvA-sportsmen and –women and two employees of the Johan Cruyff University, the heao*  for top sportsmen and –women, participated in the Olympic Games. Two HvA-students are currently in Athens taking part in the Paralympics.
Rower Kirsten van der Kolk of the Johan Cruyff University won bronze, swimmer Johan Kenkhuis silver.

* institute for professional education in the fields of economics and management

Top sports and studying

The combination of studying and practising sports at top level is well arranged at the UvA. Top sporting students compose a yearly individual schedule together with a study advisor, for combining training, matches and studying or exams in the best possible way. Top sporting students who do not receive a scholarship from NOC/NSF can get an extra student grant from the UvA for the maximum of a year. The University Sports Centre allows students to train for free. Around 30 or 40 UvA-students are combining top sports and studying.