Nicolaas "Nick"Driebergen (born August 19, 1987 inRijnsburg) is a formerDutchSwimmer who is specialized inbackstroke.[1] He currently holds nationallong course records in all backstroke events and in the 4×100 medley relay. Atshort course he holds the national record in 50 and 100 m backstroke and in the 4×50 medley relay. He was the first swimmer in his country to swim the 100 m backstroke under 55 seconds and 200 m backstroke under 2 minutes at thelong course.
Nick Driebergen made his international debut at theEuropean LC Championships 2006 inBudapest with a 12th place in the 50 m backstroke and a 13th place in the 100 m backstroke. Later that year he reached his first international final at theEuropean SC Championships 2006 inHelsinki in the 100 m backstroke where he finished 8th. A week after he missed qualification for the2007 World Aquatics Championships. He came back strong at the Dutch National Championships (LC) in June 2007 with national records in 100 and 200 m backstroke and nomination for the2008 Summer Olympics inBeijing.In December 2007 he confirmed his nomination at theDutch Open Swim Cup. One week later he won his first international bronze medal at theEuropean SC Championships 2007 inDebrecen with the 4×50 medley where he swam the backstroke leg.
In 2008 he competed in the2008 European Aquatics Championships which were held in his native country in the city ofEindhoven. He finished 6th in the 50 m backstroke, 5th in the 100 backstroke but was disqualified in the 200 m backstroke. With the national team he ended 4th in the 4×100 medley relay. The next month he started at the2008 FINA Short Course World Championships but stepped out of the tournament due toillness. At the Olympics he disappointedly ended 28th in the 100 m backstroke and 24th in the 200 m.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics,[2] Driebergen competed in the men's 100 and 200 m backstroke and was part of the Dutch 4 x 100 m medley team.[2] In the 100 m backstroke, he reached the semi-finals, swimming a personal best (and national record) in the heats.[3] In the 200 m backstroke, he also reached the semi-finals.[2] The Dutch team reached the final of the 4 x 100 m medley.[2]
Netherlands
