The Netherlands competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 September to 18 September 2016. The first places the team qualified were for four athletes in equestrian team dressage. In September 2015, a representative from the country attended the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Chef de Mission seminar as part of the country's preparation efforts for the 2016 Games.[1][2]
Medalists
The following Dutch competitors won medals at the Games. In the 'by discipline' sections below, medallists' names are in bold.
The Netherlands were one of three nations to qualify a team for dressage via their results at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games, where they won the silver medal in the team event.[3][4][5]
Dutch players warm up for a game at IFCPF Pre Paralympic Tournament Salou 2016, the last major preparation event for the Rio Games.
Netherlands national 7-a-side football team qualified for the Rio Paralympics as a result of the Regional Qualifier Allocation by virtue of being runners-up at 2014 European Championships while being ranked in the top 8 at the 2015 World Championships.[6]
The draw for the tournament was held on May 6 at the 2016 Pre Paralympic Tournament in Salou, Spain. The Netherlands was put into Group B with the United States, Argentina and Russia.[7] Iran qualified for the 2016 Rio Games following the suspension of Russia. The IPC ruled that there could not be a redraw for the groups. This resulted in Iran being put into Group A with the Netherlands, Argentina and the United States.[8]
The tournament where the Paralympic draw took place featured 7 of the 8 teams participating in Rio. It was the last major preparation event ahead of the Rio Games for all teams participating.[9] The Netherlands finished third, after winning 2 - 3 against Great Britain in the 3rd place match.[10]
Going into the Rio Games, the country was ranked fourth in the world.[11]
The Netherlands qualified two sailers into the Paralympic Tournament. In the SKUD 18 event, the Netherlands earned a quota spot with a fourth-place finish overall and the first country who had not qualified via the 2014 Championships. The boat was crewed by Rolf Schrama and Sandra Nap.[14][15][16]
During the draw, Brazil chose of which group they wanted to be in. They were partnered with Spain, who were in the group Brazil did not select. Brazil chose Group B, which included Iran, the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Algeria. That left Spain in Group A with Australia, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands and Japan.[18]
As hosts, Brazil chose which group they were put into. They were partnered with Algeria, who were put in the group they did not choose. Brazil chose Group A, which included Canada, Germany, Great Britain and Argentina. Algeria ended up in Group B with the United States, the Netherlands, France and China.[18]
^"Sailing Qualification"(PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 2015. Archived from the original(PDF) on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
^"SKUD 18". Royal Yacht Club Victoria. 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
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