As the final workshop of the “Athletes’ Forum” organized by the Aruba Athletes’ Commission (AAC), six Aruban Olympic athletes shared a wealth of experiences and insights with the youth in attendance. The athletes participating in the forum discussed how their lives unfolded as high-performance athletes and, in some cases, how they transitioned from athletic life to professional careers.
In the first session, Monica Pimentel, Roshendra Vrolijk, and Jan Roodzant spoke about their journeys to the Olympic Games, what this meant for them, and how they transitioned from being athletes to becoming young professionals. All three continue to contribute to sports, whether as coaches or in other capacities.
Next, Daniella van den Berg, Allyson Ponson, and Mikel Schreuders shared their experiences as elite athletes and how sports have shaped their lives. Daniella and Allyson explained that key qualities developed through sport — such as discipline and structure — still help them significantly in their professional careers today. Unlike the other speakers, Mikel is still an active athlete and is currently training to qualify for the LA2028 Olympic Games. If successful, Mikel could potentially reach his fourth Olympic Games, becoming the first Aruban athlete ever to do so. He shared details about his current training journey, his professional training environment in Arizona (USA), and what his daily routine looks like as a professional athlete.
Finally, the athletes answered questions from the participants. Remarkably, many of the questions focused on the mental health of athletes. This highlighted the importance of addressing the topic openly and recognizing that even athletes who reach the highest levels — including the Olympic stage — may face mental challenges that deserve attention.
The Aruba Olympic Committee (COA) thanks all Olympic athletes who took part in this session and recognizes the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation.
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Press release: Comite Olimpico Arubano
