Watch Pieter van den Hoogenband at training camp

Of course, if you don't live in The Netherlands, you weren't able to watch yesterday's TV broadcast on VDH's training camp in France.

For those of you who want to watch Pieter in action, here's the link to a clip from that broadcast:

Pieter van den Hoogenband at training camp

On that page, click on the link under "Mediatheek" (right hand side).

Since most of you don't understand Dutch, here are a few highlights of the interviews with Pieter and his coach Jacco Verhaeren:

- His preparation for the World Championships has not been ideal, due to various sponsor obligations, TV appearances and so forth. He is back in full training, though. Verhaeren realizes they are behind on schedule, but is still optimistic about Pieter's chances at the WC.

- Pieter's ultimate goal is still winning his third consecutive gold medal at the 100m Olympic event.

- Pieter is amazed at the recent developments in Montreal. And apparently so are Thorpe, Phelps and Schoeman and their coaches. These four champions, including VDH, and their coaches are discussing setting up a Golden League, a sort of Champion League, where the great champions of swimming can compete and break world records. This would be a new incentive for sponsors as well.

- NZE - VDH's team - will offer all top Dutch swimmers a chance to join their organization. The goal is to set up one organization where top swimmers will have the same facilities as VDH.