What is Rafael Raap?
{{Infobox sportsperson | name = Rafael Raap | image = | imagesize = 180px | caption = | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|03|18|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Arnhem]], the Netherlands<ref name=VPRO>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vpro.nl/programmas/de-beloften/sporters/rafael-raap.html|title= Rafael Raap |work=[[VPRO]] |language=nl}}</ref> | height = | weight = | sport = [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]] | event = [[Decathlon]] | club = [[PAC]], [[Rotterdam]] | education = | coach = | medaltemplates = }} '''Rafael Raap''' (born 18 March 1999) is a Dutch athlete competing in the [[decathlon]].<ref>{{iaaf name|14623556}}</ref> He is a member of PAC in [[Rotterdam]] and the Dutch national team.<ref name=Rijnmond>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/199099/talentvolle-atleet-raap-richt-zich-op-olympische-spelen-van-2024|title=Talentvolle atleet Raap richt zich op Olympische Spelen van 2024|work=rijnmond.nl|date=15 September 2020 |language=nl}}</ref> ==Biography== At the age of 7 years old, Raap was advized by a teach of his school to start with athletics. During his youth years he won many competitions. When he was twelve years old he atletics club PAC in [[Rotterdam]]. At the age of fifteen he jumped 2.05 metres in the [[long jump]] that was a national record for his age-category (C-juniors). When he was 16 years old he started living and training at [[Papendal]], the national sports centre in the Netherlands. He was selected to participate at the [[2017 European Athletics U20 Championships]] and he aimed to win a medal. However, he had three invalid throws in the discus throw and did not reach the starting height in the high jump. He realized his medal chances were lost, but changed his mindset positively and set two new personal records in the later events. In a later athletics competition he had kind of a burn out. During the [[hurdle]]s event