The Netherlands has a long and vibrant tradition of excellence in many sports. At the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Dutch competitors won 25 medals, 12 of them gold. Winners of gold medals included swimmers Inge de Bruijn and Pieter van den Hoogenband, cyclist Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel, judoka Mark Huizinga, horsewoman Anky van Grunsven, showjumper Jeroen Dubbeldam, and the men's hockey team.
The Netherlands is one of the world's leading ice-skating countries. Top skaters include Rintje Ritsma, Jan Bos, Gianni Romme and Gerben Wennemars.
