Eight top athletes from Curaçao are set to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Two will represent Aruba, while six will compete for the Netherlands, including at least three medal contenders.
"And that's really special," says sports expert Thakaidzwa Doran. "The Olympics is the highest level. If you're competing at this level, you're a major player."
Running
Doran has closely followed runner Liemarvin Bonevacia over the past few years. "His discipline and belief in himself are incredible. He handles pressure very well and is mentally very strong, which has brought him a lot of success!"
Bonevacia, recognizable by his distinctive sunglasses, will be competing in his fourth Olympic Games. In Tokyo (2021), he won silver with the Dutch relay team in the 4×400 meters. The mixed relay team has a strong chance of finishing in the top three this Olympics.
Martina
Churandy Martina will conclude his impressive athletic career with his sixth Olympic appearance in Paris. He will participate as a reserve for the men's relay team. On July 9, Churandy excitedly posted on Facebook: "I did it! Made my 6th Olympic Games!!! Super happy."
Martina first competed in the Olympics in 2008 for the Netherlands Antilles, finishing second in the 200 meters behind the unbeatable Jamaican, Usain Bolt. However, he was disqualified hours later for stepping on the outer white line.
"Churandy has given athletics in Curaçao a significant boost," says Doran. "He was the role model for guys like Liemarvin and Terrence Agard, and now they are the role models for the youngest generation of athletes on the island. Local coaching has greatly improved. Young Curaçaoan talents now quickly move to Papendal to train with Team NL."
Burnet
Taymir Burnet's Olympic dream seemed to be over after Botswana's relay team posted a faster time than the Dutch selection. However, Botswana's time was not recognized because they used a wooden clapper instead of an official starting pistol at the African Championships. Thus, Burnet, like Churandy Martina, is headed to Paris.
The Dutch relay team finished third at the European Championships in Rome this year. Doran does not rule out a medal at the Olympics but would have liked to see Burnet compete in the 200 meters. "He would have certainly reached the semi-finals." In February, Burnet improved his personal best in the 200 meters to 20.30 seconds, just below the Olympic qualifying limit. However, at the European Championships in June, Burnet missed the finals with a time of 21.02 seconds.
Hammer Throw
Denzel Comenentia, born in Amsterdam to a Curaçaoan father and Surinamese mother, moved to the United States on a scholarship after high school and still resides there.
Comenentia qualified for his first Olympic Games in May, throwing the hammer 79.09 meters at the Drake Stadium in Los Angeles, further than the winner of the 2024 European Championships in Rome, where Denzel managed only 73.45 meters.
Tennis
This will be the fourth time doubles specialist Jean-Julien Rojer competes in the men's doubles tournament at the Olympic Games. 'Juls' will play in Paris alongside Robin Haase (37).
Rojer won the Wimbledon doubles title with Romanian Horia Tecau in 2015, the ATP World Tour Finals, and the US Open in 2017. In 2022, he and Marcelo Arévalo from El Salvador won the men's doubles title at Roland Garros.
Sailing
Odile van Aanholt inherited her sailing genes from her father, Cor van Aanholt, who competed for the Netherlands Antilles at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Born in Curaçao, Odile competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as part of the Aruban team.
This year, Odile aims for Olympic gold for Team NL with her sailing partner Elise de Ruijter. The duo were world champions in the 49er FX class in 2021, and Odile won silver at the World Championships this year with Annette Duetz.
Just van Aanholt, Odile's brother, qualified in November 2023 for the Paris Olympics. This will be his third appearance, having competed for Aruba in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016. He finished 62nd at the 2023 World Championships.
Shooting
Sports shooter Philip Elhage is among the world's elite in his 10-meter air pistol discipline. He finished 35th at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Philip combines his work and family life in Curaçao with his career as a top athlete. As a member of the Aruban Olympic Team, he competes in international tournaments and the Olympic Games.
Philip knows what he needs to do in Paris. "On the range, I'm focused on one thing: the shot. A good rhythm helps me maintain my focus. In Tokyo, I thought too much about the results during the competitions."
