Reggeborgh Foundation welcomes Dion Eijssen to the Groene Appeltjes programme
Dion Eijssen is a talented athlete who specialises in the 800 metres. The 21-year-old runner will now be supported by Reggeborgh Foundation. Through the Groene Appeltjes programme, the Foundation supports talented athletes and para-athletes.
Eijssen (21) saw Reggeborgh speed skating team in action on TV this winter. ‘I was curious about what kind of company Reggeborgh is, so I googled it. Then I got in touch and gave a presentation about my ambitions. It immediately felt like a warm welcome.’
‘It gave me such a great feeling to run on that athletics track. It was really fantastic.’
- Dion Eijssen
Eijssen was born and raised in Munstergeleen, Limburg. He was introduced to athletics during a sports day at primary school. Dion proved to have a talent for it and joined the Unitas athletics club in Sittard. As a junior, he competed in all parts of the heptathlon, but it was in running that he really stood out. His club mates often had to cover a few hundred metres more when Dion had already finished the 1,000 metres. After winning the Limburg championship, he went on to win several Dutch titles and medals in the 800 metres. He also competed in the European Championships for under-18s and under-20s at the same distance. This summer, the athlete hopes to compete in the European Championships for under-23s in Bergen, Norway. He has already achieved the indoor qualifying time.
His ultimate dream is the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. ‘I don't just want to compete there, I want to perform well. I expect I'll have to run three seconds faster than my personal best to make it to the Games,’ says Eijssen, who has a personal best of 1:46.83 in the 800 metres.
He has now left Limburg for Castricum, where he trains with Team Distance Runners under coach Guido Hartensveld. ‘I live in an athletes' house there and can train daily with the best runners in the Netherlands.’ The athlete has completed CIOS and is now training to become an orthopaedic technical specialist. Thanks to the support of Reggeborgh Foundation, Eijssen can now invest more in his sport. ‘A lot of financial stress has been taken away from me, and I can participate in training camps and hire specialists when necessary.’
Inge Wessels of Reggeborgh Foundation: ‘What immediately struck me when we first met was Dion's focus and determination. Last season, he also made great strides towards the national and international top. We are therefore proud to welcome him as a new member of our family of athletes.’