Elise Matthysen
Encyclopedia
Elise Matthysen is a retired Belgian swimmer who specialised in breaststroke
. During the 2008 European Aquatics Championships she came 4th in the final of the 100 m breaststroke in which she broke the national record of Brigitte Becue
. With this excellent performance, she managed to qualify herself for the Olympics
. At the Olympics, while still only 16 years of age, she qualified for the semi-finals for both the 100 m breaststroke
and 200 m breaststroke
with a new Belgian record; eventually she finished respectively 13th and 16th overall.
In the period after the 2008 Olympics, Matthysen suffered both physically and mentally, mainly the result of weight problems
. In December 2010, she hired Brigitte Becue as her coach, but Becue could not turn the tide and on 8 November 2011 Becue announced that Matthysen was retiring from swimming and focusing fully on her studies. At that point in time, she was still holder of the national record for the 100 m breaststroke.
Breaststroke
The breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on his or her chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn...
. During the 2008 European Aquatics Championships she came 4th in the final of the 100 m breaststroke in which she broke the national record of Brigitte Becue
Brigitte Becue
Brigitte Becue is a retired breaststroke swimmer from Belgium, who competed for her native country at four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988...
. With this excellent performance, she managed to qualify herself for the Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. At the Olympics, while still only 16 years of age, she qualified for the semi-finals for both the 100 m breaststroke
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre breaststroke
The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Schedule:All times are China Standard Time -Heats:-Semifinals:-Final:-References:...
and 200 m breaststroke
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke
The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Heat 6:-Semifinals:-Final:-References:...
with a new Belgian record; eventually she finished respectively 13th and 16th overall.
In the period after the 2008 Olympics, Matthysen suffered both physically and mentally, mainly the result of weight problems
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. In December 2010, she hired Brigitte Becue as her coach, but Becue could not turn the tide and on 8 November 2011 Becue announced that Matthysen was retiring from swimming and focusing fully on her studies. At that point in time, she was still holder of the national record for the 100 m breaststroke.