The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics will take place in Milan, Italy, on Friday evening, marking the kickoff of a global sporting event that draws significant attention from the Netherlands, particularly for its speed skating events. As the competitions begin on February 6, the Dutch team is looking to replicate and build upon its past successes.
In a sport that grips the nation, speed skating remains the primary focus for Dutch fans while other nations showcase their athletes in sports like skiing and bobsleighing. The excitement surrounding the Winter Olympics resonates strongly across households, with conversations revolving around notable athletes like Femke Kok, Jutta Leerdam, and Kjeld Nuis becoming commonplace.
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing saw a record 70% viewership from Dutch audiences, highlighting the country’s passion for the event. Notably, Irene Schouten’s outstanding performance, earning her three gold medals, captivated 1.7 million viewers during the women’s 3000m final.
This year, the Dutch delegation includes 39 athletes, with a significant proportion—18—competing in speed skating, while another nine will tackle short track. Femke Kok stands out as a prominent contender. The 25-year-old recently set a new world record for the 500m, clocking an impressive 36.09 seconds and remains undefeated in her last 23 races at that distance. Apart from the sprints, she will also compete in the 1,000m and 1,500m events.
Jutta Leerdam, a silver medalist from the previous Olympics, is vying for her first gold amidst stiff competition from her teammates and Japan’s Miho Takagi, the defending Olympic champion. Another notable athlete, Antoinette De Jong, previously secured bronze in the 3,000m and is concentrating her efforts on shorter distances this year.
In addition to speed skating, the short track events will feature Suzanne Schulting, a versatile athlete targeting titles in both speed skating and short track. However, her individual event in short track will be limited to the 1,500m, where she seeks to add another medal to her collection.
The men’s speed skating events also promise excitement, with veteran Kjeld Nuis aiming for a fourth Olympic title amid controversy regarding his selection for the 1,500m. After fierce competition during the national championships, selectors opted for Nuis due to his illustrious history in the sport, including gold medals in previous Olympics.
The Dutch team also features athletes across various winter sports, with Kimberley Bos known for her historic achievement in the skeleton bob and the first figure skating partnerships ever sent by the Netherlands to the Olympics. Alongside these endeavors, the country is also represented in bobsleigh and snowboarding, driven by the hopes of individual athletes.
As the Winter Olympics prepare to unfold, Dutch athletes are eager to showcase their talent and passion on the international stage, with an air of optimism that they will bring home a multitude of medals.