22-year-old Schotten was the first to succeed in the 100-meter breaststroke. She won in 1:06.65. This brought it below the international requirement (1:06.79). Then Kamenga and Simmons followed suit. Kamminga was just short of the required 2:09.68 in the 200-meter breaststroke with a 2:09.47. Simons recorded a time of 21.87 in the 50-meter freestyle. The limit is set at 21.96.

Skoten is the 100th Dutch school record holder with a 1:06.09. At the World Short Course in Melbourne at the end of last year, the breaststroke specialist took silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m. Schouten was then unable to train for two months due to physical problems, but showed in Marseille that she was back. “The KNZB medical team have done a great job with her recovery,” says national team coach Marc Faber. “It turns out that she is involved again at the top level.”

Kamenga was also satisfied. “It was a good 200 for the first time in a year. I saw Tess and Kenzo’s performance and of course I couldn’t stay behind,” said the two-time Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in the field.

Simmons was particularly pleased with his performance in the final. “Strangely, the race in the series was the hardest. I did my best in the final. I hope to take steps again at the Eindhoven qualifying meeting in early April,” said the 21-year-old from Amsterdam.

A maximum of two swimmers per country may compete in individual events at next year’s Games.