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Jaap-Derk Buma
2000 Olympic champion and Hong Kong resident Jaap-Derk Buma will be a spectator this time around.
Photo: David Wong
The former Dutch hockey international – who won 143 caps – now lives and plays in Hong Kong. He still remembers the moment when he won an Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney.
What do you remember most of that gold-medal match against South Korea?
Five minutes before the end we were up 3-1 and I remember that I had come off as a rolling substitute and thought that this couldn't go wrong. In the next few minutes the Koreans scored two goals and we were forced into extra time. The discussion in the dressing room after the match, just before the extra time was about to start, is what sticks in my mind.
It was 3-3 at full-time and the Dutch won 5-4 on penalty strokes. Did you take one?
We had been training on penalty strokes during the entire preparation. Seven players were selected. I wasn't one of them. During the years prior to the Olympic Games we had lost several finals on penalty strokes and this was one tournament we weren't going to loose because of it.
What was your reaction when you won? How did you celebrate?
It was the best feeling in the world, a feeling that I will probably never have again. It took some time to sink in.
Has there been a sweeter moment in your life?
In sports no, but in life yes – the birth of my twins Lotte and Dirk in 2007.
Can your countrymen win again in Beijing?
It will be a tough competition; they have not performed well in recent international tournaments (seventh at the World Cup, fourth at the Champions Trophy). But I am sure they will come well prepared. If you look at the past three Olympics, I presume nobody will underestimate the Dutch (gold, gold, silver) but I think Australia will be favourites.
Are you surprised that India failed to qualify?
Yes and no. Indian hockey has been troubled for the past few years. I hope that this failure to qualify makes them realise it is time for a change. I have high hopes that India will play a more dominant role in the coming years. It would be a shame that a country with such a rich hockey history like India would lose its position.
Will you go to Beijing to watch the action unfold?
Yes, I will be in Beijing for my sports marketing business (Sport Match International) and also to see some action unfold.
Where is your gold medal?
Safely stored – but it is here in Hong Kong.