My biography
Read everything about my ambitious goals, great achievements and continuous progression
Summary
My passport
Name: Lars Bottelier
Date of Birth: 4th March 1997
Resides: IJmuiden, The Netherlands
Biggest passion: openwater swimming
Best distances: 10K & 25K freestyle
My achievements
– 2021: 5th European Championships (EC) Budapest 25K
– 2021: 22nd European Championships (EC) Budapest 10K
– 2020: 1st elite-marathon Australia (19.7K)
– 2019: 6th World Cup 10K Canada
– 2019: 11th World Cup 10K Canada
– 2019: 1st nationals 10K, 5K openwater swimming & 5K (pool)
– 2018: 3rd elite-marathon Italia (36K)
– 2018: 1st nationals 10K & 5K openwater swimming
– 2017: 1st nationals 22K openwater swimming
– 2016: 1st nationals 5K (pool)
My story
I am an ambitious young man and have been connected with the water since I was a young boy. When I was 13 years old I was introduced to open water swimming and showed talent in that area. One year later I took the junior title in the 13/14 year age group. Although I went well during the following years, I wasn’t able to achieve another Dutch junior title.
In 2016 I travelled to Australia to participate in a training camp at a professional Australian swim club. On return to Holland I won the Dutch national title for the 5K time trial (pool) and qualified for my first World Junior Championships and European Junior Championships.
One thing I knew for sure: I wanted to see what I could accomplish in the sport I love most – open water swimming. Since swimming for three years with the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (2017 / 2019) – I am back on my own – with plenty of new experiences and achievements: I have swum tens of European Cups and a couple of World Cups. I have also won 7 Dutch national titles in my swimming career. That is why I know that now is my time: I am going to do everything in my power to qualify for the Olympic 10K open water swimming event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Partners who believe in my Olympic Dream
