story of the day

The story of this guy.

This is Maarten van der Weijden.

Born in 1981, this 2.02m (6″7 feet) man started off swimming at a young age, most notably competing in open water and marathons. In 1998 he became the Dutch national champion and competed in the European championships in 1999. The next year the World Championships followed.

Then disaster made its way upon Maarten’s path. In 2001 he was diagnosed with leukemia. His career was most likely over.

Not for Maarten. He fought and fought. He struggled through four chemo treatments and underwent a stem cell transplantation. He eventually managed to overcome cancer, but taking up swimming and let alone become just as good at it as he was before was a whole other thing.

But again, not Maarten. He trained and trained, giving all he had. A year after being proclaimed cancer free, he became the Dutch national champion after winning the 800m Freestyle. In 2004 he swam across the IJsselmeer, the largest lake of the Netherlands, in a record time of 4:20.48. During this 22 km (13.6 mile) race, he managed to raise over 20,000 for KWK Kankerbestrijding (the Dutch Cancer Society).

Then in 2008, his story became more or less famous, especially in his home country. After suffering from cancer for years, beating it and getting back into the water, Maarten van der Weijden does the unthinkable. On the 24th of August 2008, Van der Weijden wins the 10k Open Water at the Olympics, taking home the gold for the Netherlands. He was lauded, honoured and respected among his peers and everyone in the Netherlands.

But Maarten took it a step further. Or rather a few more steps.

In March of this year, he managed to beat the World Record for distance swimming in 24 hours, reaching a total distance of 102,8 km (63,87 miles).

And right now, as we speak, Maarten took it as far as I can fathom to be possible.

In the Netherlands, we have this yearly ice skating event spanning a distance between 11 cities and totalling a distance of 200 km (124,2 miles). It’s apt nickname is the “Hell of the North”. Due to global warming it has not yet taken place this century, the ice never reaching the desired thickness.

So Maarten decides to swim it.

Planning to swim it in a weekend, he starts his adventure on the 18th of August 2018. Thousands and thousands of people cheer him on on his way. Against the advice of the government (due to bacteria), people jump in to swim with him and cheer him on. The down to earth Dutch people remarking “He’s swimming, so we can at least join him for a bit. He doesn’t have to do this alone’’.

Maarten with his card, which he has to have an official stamp in all of the 11 cities.

Throughout the night, farmers and people with trucks help by lighting his way. Other people light flares.

His wife leads the way in a boat, cheering him on as he goes along.

“Maarten, come on!”

The first day passes. We know Maarten is strong, but he beat the 24 hour World Record this year. His pace is good, he’s looking strong.

The second day follows. It’s now the 19th, and Maarten has been swimming for a few dozen hours. More and more people gather around the water and Maarten is slowing down slightly. He’s certainly capable, but is he this capable? In every of the 11 cities he arrives in, he’s given cheques by people and companies. Money for the fight against cancer.

“I’m giving everything, are you joining me?”

After having to rest after 80km, Maarten moves on to the second night. During this night, he has to take three small breaks. To catch his breath, to let his body take a minute. People can tune in to see live streams of Maarten swimming, cheering him on mentally.

“Follow Maarten live!”

Halfway done, Maarten calls upon his team. After being asked by media what Maarten said, his crew states: “Maarten is hungry. If he’s hungry, he’s really hungry.” A delivery is called upon, and Maarten receives his tasty treat.

Funghi pizza to battle the munchies.

On the 20th of August, today, Maarten slows down a bit more. People are starting to worry. His goal seems to be in jeopardy, will he make in this weekend?

Doctors check up on him from time to time, seeing if he’s alright to continue swimming. In the afternoon of the 20th, today, news is spread across the country.

The main physician has decided Maarten should not continue. Can not, could not.

After swimming 163 km ( 101.2 miles ), Maarten has to stop. At this point, he has been swimming for 55 hours. He had 37 km (22.9 miles) left.

Maarten is taken out of the water. An ambulance is needed.

His body is broken.

Maarten’s body after the race.

Maarten’s wife comforts and consoles him.

After reaching the finish line, an honouring was to be held. The organisers decide to go ahead and have it either way, for these impeccable achievements. Maarten wants to be there too, and with the support of his crew, he makes it there.

Thousands of people show up. The prime minister attends the ceremony and hands him an award to show the Dutch appreciation. None of the attendees care that Maarten didn’t make it. He is a champion nonetheless.

Maarten is asked by the presenter of the ceremony when he plans on returning to the water. Maarten, with a typical sarcastic Dutch deadpan, answers with “Never ever, ever”.

Maarten had hoped to raise around 11,000 euro for this event.

With a push of the button by Maarten himself, the amount of money raised is revealed.

€ 2,511,302. or 2,885,789 dollars.

Roughly 2 million more than he hoped for.

Maarten is amazed and surprised, gobsmacked and flabbergasted.

He tears up as the people cheer him on, thanking him for everything he has done. Honouring him for his tremendous effort.

The story of this man needs to be told. That’s what needs to be said. There are some truly respectable people in the world and this man is most defiinitely one of them. Not only is he a great athlete, he’s a great example of what makes mankind special. This one man connected 17 million people of a tiny, wet country and made them forget about the horrors of the world for a while. And this man did all of this after battling cancer for years and being 37 years old. Now he raises over 2 million euro, so other people can survive their battle.

His story deserves to be told and shared. Honour this man.

What a legend.

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