Pieter van den Hoogenband was born on 14 March, 1978. He is a former Dutch swimmer. He won three gold medals at the Olympics. He swam at the Olympics four times, from 1996 to 2008. He held the world record in the 100 meter and 200 meter freestyle. Van den Hoogenband is well known for his races in the 200 meter freestyle against Ian Thorpe from Australia.