Roos Vanotterdijk received a hero’s welcome at Brussels Airport on Tuesday morning after winning silver and bronze at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore. “It’s starting to sink in how exceptional it is,” she told Belga shortly after landing., reports 24brussels.
The 19-year-old swimmer arrived at 7:25 AM, welcomed by a large crowd, which exceeded her expectations. “This has exceeded my expectations. My parents said there would be a few people, but it’s a bit overwhelming here,” she stated. “It’s wonderful to see the impact it’s had. I’m happy with this support, and it’s great that people are coming here to see me.”
“When I’m happy, the results will follow.”
Vanotterdijk expressed that she is still processing the significance of her achievements. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, not completely. That will take time. But I think it’s starting to sink in that it’s truly exceptional. I remain incredibly happy with my result; it’s something unique.”
Her success is a testament to both perseverance and the enjoyment of her sport. “It’s the result of hard work and enjoying what I do. That really worked out this year. I had a lot of fun, enjoyed everything. When I’m happy, the results will follow.”
This positive outlook followed a challenging period in her career while training under coach Fred Vergnoux, known for his rigorous methods. “I think it’s just the result of living life; those are life lessons. They help me move forward,” she reflected.
Coach Faber’s Support
Mark Faber, her current coach who led the entire Belgian team in Singapore, commended her growth, stating, “You can’t think in terms of ceilings. She’s the youngest in the entire field, so she still has a lot of potential.”
Faber was deeply moved by the reception Vanotterdijk received at the airport. “When you arrive at the airport at this early hour and there are so many people, it’s very special. I think it’s great that Roos is being recognised like this; she absolutely deserves it.”
He believes her happiness has been a critical factor in her success. “Athletes should be carefree; if they are, you can have fun and make progress. Roos had a lot of fun this year and raced a lot, which she loves. That was also an important part.”
Looking ahead, Faber remains cautious yet optimistic. “At this level, everything is so close together. The progress will be a little smaller in the coming phase, but every hundredth counts. There’s still a lot of room for improvement.”
Faber also highlighted the accomplishments of the wider Belgian team, noting, “They swam a lot of semifinals and personal bests, and in some cases even Belgian records. We can look back with pride.”
First: Rest
In her hometown of Houthalen-Helchteren, plans are in progress to celebrate Vanotterdijk’s achievements, though specific details remain under review. For now, she prioritizes resting. “Today I’m just going to go home and rest. Then take a vacation and let everything settle down,” she stated. “It’s easy to overlook all this because of questions about my next goals. But it’s important to pause and realise that this is very unique and to enjoy this moment.”
#FlandersNewsService | Roos Vanotterdijk after finishing third in women’s 50 metres butterfly swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on 2 August, 2025 © PHOTO JOEL MARKLUND / BELGA
