Youth Olympian Mees Van Buren: a journey of resilience and determination
Gumption gladly supports young talent. Therefore, we have been sponsoring Mees Van Buren (18) since last year. As the only luger from the Netherlands, he managed to qualify for the Youth Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.
Gumption gladly supports young talent. Therefore, we have been sponsoring Mees Van Buren (18) since last year. As the only luger from the Netherlands, he managed to qualify for the Youth Olympic Winter Games in South Korea. How did Mees fare during the Games? We gave him a call.
Congratulations on your participation! How was it?
It was an amazing experience, both on and off the track. The training and the competition turned out differently than I expected. Due to an eye injury, I missed one and a half training sessions, which couldn't be compensated for.
You are allowed three training sessions on the track before the actual competition, and during those sessions, you also need to qualify. These training sessions are crucial to prepare for the competition. I literally started with a disadvantage, and I couldn't catch up. I could barely see from my left eye.
Despite the injury, I managed to record a decent time in luge (participants descend an ice track with a sled as fast as possible). Initially, I was disappointed, but then I accepted that I had made the best out of the situation.
Congratulations on your participation! How was it?
It was an amazing experience, both on and off the track. The training and the competition turned out differently than I expected. Due to an eye injury, I missed one and a half training sessions, which couldn't be compensated for.
You are allowed three training sessions on the track before the actual competition, and during those sessions, you also need to qualify. These training sessions are crucial to prepare for the competition. I literally started with a disadvantage, and I couldn't catch up. I could barely see from my left eye.
Despite the injury, I managed to record a decent time in luge (participants descend an ice track with a sled as fast as possible). Initially, I was disappointed, but then I accepted that I had made the best out of the situation.
What bad luck to be sidelined at such a crucial moment.
It was very sudden. In 24 hours, I went from feeling great to not being able to see from one eye. Was it due to dry air, something in my eye, or a lens problem? I have no idea, but the poor visibility, headaches, and the antiviral drugs and antibiotics prescribed to me left me exhausted. It was touch and go whether I could make enough runs to qualify.
I talked a lot with my parents (Mees is the son of Gumption managing partner Marcel Van Buren, ed.), the doctors, and the athlete I shared a room with. Eventually, I turned the situation around. I had trained for two years to go to the Youth Olympic Games, and I knew that doubting wouldn't help me. I went for it and made the best of it.
What bad luck to be sidelined at such a crucial moment.
It was very sudden. In 24 hours, I went from feeling great to not being able to see from one eye. Was it due to dry air, something in my eye, or a lens problem? I have no idea, but the poor visibility, headaches, and the antiviral drugs and antibiotics prescribed to me left me exhausted. It was touch and go whether I could make enough runs to qualify.
I talked a lot with my parents (Mees is the son of Gumption managing partner Marcel Van Buren, ed.), the doctors, and the athlete I shared a room with. Eventually, I turned the situation around. I had trained for two years to go to the Youth Olympic Games, and I knew that doubting wouldn't help me. I went for it and made the best of it.
That's brave. Wasn't it dangerous, though?
My sport is never without risk. You speed through an ice channel at 100+ kilometers per hour. Every injury adds an extra risk. But if it was genuinely too dangerous, I wouldn't have done it. Fortunately, I became fit just in time to qualify and start in the competition. But, of course, it had an impact on the result. A run of 45 seconds is as demanding as 1 hour of running at a high level. You have to be in top form. At the same time, I achieved my goal and became a Youth Olympian.
That's brave. Wasn't it dangerous, though?
My sport is never without risk. You speed through an ice channel at 100+ kilometers per hour. Every injury adds an extra risk. But if it was genuinely too dangerous, I wouldn't have done it. Fortunately, I became fit just in time to qualify and start in the competition. But, of course, it had an impact on the result. A run of 45 seconds is as demanding as 1 hour of running at a high level. You have to be in top form. At the same time, I achieved my goal and became a Youth Olympian.
How do you look back on it now?
It was an unbelievable experience to participate in these Games. South Korea seems like a different world. Competing and having fun with athletes from around seventy other countries is unforgettable. I couldn't deliver my best performance, and it was mentally challenging. But I also learned a lot there. Not everything goes as expected. That insight has also mentally strengthened me. I went for it anyway, and dealing with setbacks is also part of elite sports. Learning to accept is important.
How do you look back on it now?
It was an unbelievable experience to participate in these Games. South Korea seems like a different world. Competing and having fun with athletes from around seventy other countries is unforgettable. I couldn't deliver my best performance, and it was mentally challenging. But I also learned a lot there. Not everything goes as expected. That insight has also mentally strengthened me. I went for it anyway, and dealing with setbacks is also part of elite sports. Learning to accept is important.
What are your plans for the near future?
Now I want to catch up on my schoolwork first. After that, I am preparing for the junior circuit and plan to travel through Europe again to train and – hopefully – participate in the Junior Europa Cup circuit.
Will you participate in the Olympic Games again?
I would really like to. Maybe 2026 is too soon, but who knows, 2030 might work.
What are your plans for the near future?
Now I want to catch up on my schoolwork first. After that, I am preparing for the junior circuit and plan to travel through Europe again to train and – hopefully – participate in the Junior Europa Cup circuit.
Will you participate in the Olympic Games again?
I would really like to. Maybe 2026 is too soon, but who knows, 2030 might work.