U.S. Coach Gets in Dutch Because of Drug Comments

When Inge de Bruijn strode into the interview room Thursday night after winning her second individual gold medal, for the 100-meter freestyle, officials instructed reporters not to ask any questions “on doping.”

But the father of another Dutch star, Pieter van den Hoogenband, did plenty of talking, lashing out at U.S. national coach Richard Quick. Quick created a stir Wednesday when he said that he believed the meet was not “drug-free.” He did not identify any country or specific swimmer, but there were questions as to whether it was directed at the Dutch stars.

“He’s the most stupid idiot I ever saw,” Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband said. “. . . Americans, they can’t swim, they can’t win.”

Said Quick, “I don’t know Mr. van den Hoogenband. I know that I did not point my finger at his son’s performance. He’s entitled to his opinion. It’s not the first time, by the way.”