A 2-0 victory against China at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics marked the international debut of field hockey player Lidewij Welten. Born in Eindhoven in 1990, she secured her position within the Dutch national team during her youth. Her professional trajectory spans over a decade of competition at the highest levels of global sport.
Olympic Career
Welten participated in multiple Olympic cycles under the Dutch flag. Following her initial gold medal win in Beijing, she earned a second gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. During the 2016 Olympics, she contributed to the Dutch effort that resulted in a silver medal finish.
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The 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup in London served as another significant performance. Welten helped the Dutch team defeat Ireland 6-0 in the final match, during which she successfully scored. Her technical impact during the tournament resulted in her being named player of the tournament.
Recognition and Departure
In 2021, her contributions to the sport were formally acknowledged through her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. She also received the status of honorary citizen of North-Brabant that same year. On January 27, 2024, she used social media platform Instagram to announce her departure from the Dutch national team.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 July 1990
- Birthplace: Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Occupation: Field hockey player
- Olympic Gold Medals: 2
- Olympic Silver Medals: 1
- 2018 World Cup Result: Gold
- Award: Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau
Questions readers ask
Did Lidewij Welten compete in the 2016 Olympics?
Yes, she was a member of the Dutch team that secured the silver medal at those games.
When did she leave the national team?
She announced her exit from the Dutch national team on January 27, 2024.
