Dutch Selection Set for Beijing
Fifteen swimmers will represent the Netherlands at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Beijing this December, following final selections announced by national selectors. The roster includes standout sprinters and medley specialists who earned their spots through performances at the Dutch Qualifiers in Rotterdam and the recent World Cup tour.
Rotterdam and World Cup Performances Drive Selection
The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation finalized the roster based strictly on time standards achieved during the domestic trials in Rotterdam and international World Cup stops. Marrit Steenbergen anchors the women’s squad with a heavy program, entering the 50, 100, and 200-meter freestyle events, alongside the 50 and 100-meter backstroke and the 100 and 200-meter individual medleys. She is joined by breaststroke specialist Tes Schouten in the 200-meter event, and Maaike de Waard, who takes on the 50-meter butterfly and the 50 and 100-meter backstroke. Imani de Jong tackles the 200 and 400-meter freestyle, while Milou van Wijk swims the 50 and 100-meter freestyle. Tessa Giele enters the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter individual medley, Kim Busch swims the 50-meter butterfly, and Valerie van Roon contests the 50-meter freestyle. Femke Spiering races the 100-meter butterfly, and Yara van Kalmthout rounds out the women’s relay pool.
Dutch Olympian Marrit Steenbergen has broken the World Record in the 100 LCM Free with a 51.68.After she first broke out as a 15 y/o in 2015 with a 53.97, Steenbergen failed to PB in the event for 7 years. pic.twitter.com/4XX14pppwB
On the men’s side, Caspar Corbeau leads the entries across the 50, 100, and 200-meter breaststroke events. Sean Niewold races the 50 and 100-meter freestyle alongside the 100-meter individual medley. Thomas Jansen handles the distance individual medleys in the 200 and 400-meter events. Kai van Westering takes on the 200-meter backstroke, and Koen de Groot completes the men’s selections in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Competition Dates in China
The global meet runs from December 1 to December 6, 2026, in Beijing, bringing together top short-course athletes from around the world for six days of racing in a 25-meter pool.