A mother, an athlete, a flagbearer: Abbingh returns to the Olympics with big expectations

Five years ago, in 2019, Lois Abbingh had the chance to write history for the Netherlands. It was the final of the IHF Women’s World Championship, the European side were tied with Spain with the regular time elapsed and with the ball in possession, on the penalty line.

Score the penalty and the Netherlands were champions for the first time in history. Miss and the match would have gone to extra-time. But Abbingh, the top goal scorer of the competition, kept her cool, converted the penalty and the Netherlands became world champions for the first time in history.

It was the pinnacle for the Dutch side, which were previously silver medallists and bronze medallists at the IHF Women’s World Championship, as well as the EHF EURO. But the Netherlands have never secured a medal at the Olympic Games, finishing fourth at Rio 2016 and fifth at Tokyo 2020.

“Of course it would be amazing to win a medal, that is absolutely clear. We have been there, on the podiums, quite a few times, but we have never managed to win a medal at the Olympics. So it would be an amazing feeling,” says Abbingh.

The 31-year-old left back has made her debut in 2010 for the national team, playing 202 matches and scoring 842 goals before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, being the second best scorer in history, behind Olga Assink, who scored 954 goals for the Dutch side. But records are set, of course, to be beaten. 

But Abbingh is not necessarily thinking about records. She is still focusing on winning and delivering good performances for her side in the third appearance at the Olympic Games, after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. While the Netherlands have made a step back and did not secure a podium place in major international competitions, a resurgence is on the cards.

“We have a very good team. We have plenty of experience on our side, with players who have been at the Olympic Games, but also with some young players in the squad. And this is also a good way to provide a good platform for handball. We had some excellent results in the younger age categories in the past years and a good performance at Paris 2024 could only enhance the Dutch appetite for handball,” says Abbingh.

“We know we are a small country, but we are very passionate. And we try to do our best every time we take the court or try to do something. Therefore, here, at Paris 2024, we just want to deliver some good performances. And a medal would mean the world,” says the left back.

Abbingh has definitely been the most consistent player and is one of the most experienced, playing at the highest level for over a decade. Those performances have not been overlooked, and the left back will write history come Friday, 26 July, when she will become the first handball player to be the Netherlands’ flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.

''I find it a great honor to be able to carry the flag for the Netherlands during the Olympic Games. I think it means a lot to handball in the Netherlands. And personally, I think it's great that I can be at the forefront of the battle at my third Olympic Games. I can't wait to represent TeamNL,” says Abbingh.

But everything comes with a price. In September 2022, the left back gave birth to her son, Lev, taking a break from handball. A few months later, she was back on the court and signed with Vipers Kristiansand, the former champions of the EHF Champions League Women.

However, playing at the Olympic Games means several training camps before the competition, as well as at least two weeks in Paris, which means time away from home, away from the family, which definitely takes a toll on any player and any athlete competing in the competition.

Abbingh knew that fully well when she signed on to come back and play for club and country and is trying a balancing act between life as a mother and as a handball player, looking forward to any challenge she might face throughout the Olympics.

“We had some free days before the training camps and between the training camps and I used them fully with my family. I knew how this will be, because I have been at the Olympics two times already, but this is different. Of course it is hard, of course it takes a toll, but I am happy to represent the Netherlands and always thinking back home too,” says the left back.

The Netherlands will face some stiff challenge, but with Paris 2024 being one of the last chances, if not the last to feature at the highest levels for players like Abbingh, Estavana Polman or Laura van der Heijden, everything needs to click at Paris and this is precisely what Abbingh will aim for.

A mother, an athlete and a flagbearer all in one, Abbingh will definitely enjoy Paris 2024. A medal would only complete a fantastic summer for her.