Maarten van der Weijden finds book about farewell strange: 'Euphoria, but also suffering'
Olympic champion Maarten van der Weijden has released a candid book documenting his past decade, covering his battle with leukemia, his fundraising success, and his challenging swimming endurance events. The athlete describes the memoir as a vulnerable reflection that captures both his personal euphoria and the deep suffering he faced while battling survivor's guilt.
Former Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden has published a new book detailing the last decade of his life, a period marked by his recovery from leukemia and his record-breaking charitable swimming efforts. The 45-year-old athlete describes the work as an open and vulnerable account that captures both his moments of euphoria and the intense physical and emotional suffering he endured throughout his journey. The publication covers his famous Elfstedentocht swim and his successful efforts to raise 18 million euros for cancer research, which concluded on October 8th.
Beyond his athletic achievements, the book addresses the personal struggles Van der Weijden faced, including long-term survivor's guilt following his battle with leukemia. He notes that this burden served as a primary motivation for his grueling endurance challenges. By sharing his journey, the retired Olympian provides an intimate look into the motivations behind his fundraising work for the Maarten van der Weijden Foundation and the lasting impact of his experiences as both a patient and an athlete.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
