Alex and Robert after winning the tournament in Poreč (Croatia), June 2015

The two have picked up their Olympic kit and this week the entire Dutch Olympic team was transferred, as it’s called, to NOC*NSF. Robert tells how great it was to meet the other athletes.

And…have the nerves set in yet?

‘I’m quite level headed, but with the small things, such as picking up the kit, you suddenly realise that it’s really happening.’

In 2013 you won the world championship. After that – judging by the results – things didn’t go so well. What are your chances?

‘We were placed second, so that’s quite good. The last two tournaments weren’t quite so good but we are doing better than last year: There is an upward trend. Last year we won one tournament, this year we’re keeping that one for the right moment…’

So the Olympic spirit ‘it’s the taking part that counts’ doesn’t really apply to you?

‘We’ve never really had that attitude. We never really worried about qualifying, rather, about succeeding in Rio. That’s been our goal for a long time.’

Is there actually any time left over for studying?

‘Our studies are side issue anyway. In winter I was able to rake in some points. Coen Duiverman (former professional volleyball player and university lecturer) used to teach my marketing classes. They were private lessons and I mainly prepared for exams at home. I de-registered as a student in March, but now Alex and I have re-registered. After the games, at the beginning of a new Olympic cycle of four years, we will be picking up where we left off. I still have one and a half years’ worth of ECTS left, I think Alex has even longer to go.’

But first, Rio. When will you be leaving?

‘We will be here for 2 more weeks of training and still have a tournament in Austria. We are flying to Rio on the 2nd of August. The Olympic games are being held from the 6th–19th August. We’re going for that medal!’

Jos van Nierop