Femke Heemskerk

Infobox Swimmer
swimmername = Femke Heemskerk


imagesize = 250px
caption =
fullname = Femke Heemskerk
nicknames =
nationality = NED
strokes = freestyle, medley, backstroke
club = Nationaal Zweminstituut Amsterdam
collegeteam =
birthdate = bda|1987|9|21
birthplace = Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = height|m=1.80 [ [http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BIO/Athlete/1/217801.shtml Beijing 2008 profile] ]
weight = convert|68|kg|lb
medaltemplates =MedalGold| 2008 Beijing | 4x100m Freestyle [ [http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/swimming/n214524246.shtml Olympic Champions 4x100m freestyle] ]

Femke Heemskerk (born September 21, 1987, Roelofarendsveen) is a Dutch swimmer [http://www.zwemkroniek.com/whoswho.php?action=1&id=60 Femke Heemskerk] . Zwemkroniek Online. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.] who mainly specializes in freestyle, but also has a strong backstroke and medley.

As part of the Dutch team, she holds the world record 4x100 m freestyle relay on both short course [ [http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=636&Itemid=9 4x100 m Freestyle] . Fina.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.] and long course. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/03/18/swimming.netherlands.ap/ Dutch girls grab world swim relay record] . CNN. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.] In short course she is also part of the Dutch team who holds the 4x200 m freestyle relay world record. [ [http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=640&Itemid=9 4x200m Freestyle] . Fina.org.] Individually she is owner of six national records, three in Long Course 200 m freestyle, 100 m backstroke and 200 m individual medley. In Short Course she also has three national records in 200 m freestyle, 100 m and 200 m individual medley.

Swimming career

Femke Heemskerk made her international debut at the World LC Championships 2005 in Montreal as a relay-swimmer. She only swum in the heats of the 4x100 m freestyle and the 4x200 m freestyle events. Shecompeted in the European LC Championships 2006 and the European SC Championships. But individually she didn't come through the heats in both events.

At the World LC Championships 2007 she won a bronze medal in the 4x100 m freestyle together with Inge Dekker, Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Marleen Veldhuis. At the European SC Championships 2007 in Debrecen she finished surprisingly 6th in her first international final, the 100 m freestyle. She also ended 10th in the 200 m freestyle.

Spring 2008

In 2008 she swum at the European LC Championships 2008 in the world record breaking 4x100 m freestyle team, which was the same as the team who won bronze in the World Championships the year before. With the same team she ended 4th in the 4x200 m freestyle relay. Individually she didn't come through the semi-finals. The next month she competed in Manchester at the World SC Championships 2008 where she again broke two relay records in the 4x200 m freestyle with the same girls who did it in Eindhoven. In the 4x100 m freestyle Hinkelien Schreuder replaced Ranomi Kromowidjojo who suffered from an elbow injury. She won her first individual medal, a silver medal, in the 200 m freestyle at the last day of the tournament. During the National Championships in june 2008 Heemskerk lowered three national record at the long course, 200 m free, 200 m medley and 100 m back.

2008 Summer Olympics

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing she won a gold medal with the 4x100 m freestyle relay. She did so alongside Inge Dekker, Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Marleen Veldhuis in a time of 3:33.76, just 0.14 outside their own world record. The day-after she started individually in the 200 m individual medley where she ended 28th during the heats. Heemskerk was the lead-off swimmer in both 4x200 m freestyle and 4x100 m medley relays in which she didn't qualify for the finals with her team.

Personal bests

See also

* List of swimmers
* Dutch records in swimming

References

* [http://www.femkeheemskerk.nl/ Personal website]