Marit Bouwmeester, the most successful female Olympic sailor, calls time on a glittering Olympic career

Following a historic gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Bouwmeester will shift her focus from the Olympic regatta to her family and her new passion: the Marit Bouwmeester Academy which is dedicated to making watersports accessible to all children.

Bouwmeester’s career is a study in relentless excellence, consistency, and resilience. She is the only female sailor to have won four Olympic medals in an individual class, a feat that includes:

• Gold (Paris 2024)
• Gold (Rio 2016)
• Silver (London 2012)
• Bronze (Tokyo 2020)

Her triumph in Paris was the crowning achievement of a remarkable comeback, having returned to the pinnacle of the sport after giving birth to her daughter, Jessie Mae.

Raised in the small Frisian village of Wartena, Bouwmeester grew up in a sporty family where water, sport, and discovery were part of daily life.

“We were always outside, always moving,” she recalls. While her brother and sister showed natural talent, Marit had to work harder to keep up — and that drive became her greatest strength.

That mindset — that hard work beats talent — became the foundation of her success and runs through her new book, Winning with Your Mind, where she shares lessons on mental strength, personal growth, and taking charge of your own path.

“Talent can actually hold you back when you aim for greatness,” she says. “It’s not about what you’re born with, but how much you’re willing to learn and improve.”

Beyond her Olympic dominance, Bouwmeester’s record includes four World Championship titles (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020) and five European Championship victories. Her achievements were recognised twice by the international sailing community when she was named the Rolex World Sailor of the Year in both 2017 and 2024.

Instead of pursuing a fifth Olympic campaign, Bouwmeester is pouring her energy into her new academy, which launched in 2025. Through the Marit Bouwmeester Academy, part of the Marit Bouwmeester Foundation, she offers programs in The Hague that combine fun, safety, and confidence — inspired by initiatives such as the Cruyff Courts.

“Sport has given me so much; now I want to give something back,” says Bouwmeester. “Sailing, SUP, canoeing — they should be as natural for kids as swimming or skating.”

“I’m not closing a chapter; I’m starting a new one,” she added. “Sport has shaped me, but I believe in continuous growth — the power of yet. There’s always another step, another goal, another horizon. That was true on the water, and it’s true now — in what I can pass on to others.”

“With pride and gratitude, I look back on an incredible journey. The highs and lows shaped me into who I am today. I’m thankful to everyone who believed in me — my parents, the Dutch Sailing Federation, the medical team, my management, and loyal sponsors.”

Marit Bouwmeester’s departure from the Olympic stage marks the end of an era, but her influence on sailing is set to continue for decades to come.

Marit Bouwmeester: Career Highlights

• Most Successful Female Olympic Sailor in History
• 4x Olympic Medalist (ILCA 6 / Laser Radial)
  • Gold: Paris 2024
  • Gold: Rio 2016
  • Silver: London 2012
  • Bronze: Tokyo 2020
• 4x World Champion (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020)
• 4x World Championship Silver Medalist (2010, 2015, 2018, 2019)
• 5x European Champion
• 2x Rolex World Sailor of the Year (2017, 2024)