Welcome!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to this blog dedicated to the world's greatest swimmer: Pieter van den Hoogenband!

Forget Michael Phelps, let's not even consider Ian Thorpe... There's only one swimmer who ever beat the 48 second rate at the 100 metre free style and he's yet to be followed by his competitors. Yes, again: Pieter van den Hoogenband!

He was the first to de-throne the legendary Aleksandr Popov in 1999 at the European championship, when Pieter won the 100 metre, 50 metre and 200 metre free style, as well as the 50 metre butterfly. One year later at the Olympics of Sydney, Pieter won gold medals on the 100 metre and 200 metre free style. At the Olympics of Athens in 2004, Pieter became a living legend by again winning a gold medal at the 100 metre free style. An accomplishment only preceded by Aleksandr Popov and Johnny Weismuller.

Here you will find all the latest and greatest news on Pieter and translations of his columns, as well as photos and hot links.

This blog is just starting, so keep coming back for more updates!