Arjan Samplonius has offered his assessment of the Dutch speed skating team’s recent performances as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic qualification event, addressing concerns over the team’s results and strategy.
Schaatsen.nl, Netherlands
During post-race discussions in Salt Lake City, Samplonius expressed frustration with questions from NOS reporter Bert Maalderink, who scrutinized the team’s efforts on air. He highlighted the team pursuit by the women, where Elisa Dul fell behind in the final phase, leading to a loss. Samplonius pointed to a lack of preparation for alternate scenarios by both the coach and the team, stating that no training had been done for such situations. This uncertainty, he noted, was addressed during the television interview.
Samplonius also spoke about conversations he held with Elisa Dul and Tjerk de Boer, emphasizing that opportunities must be seized when they arise. He criticized their passive attitudes during the competition, saying they did not fight hard enough. While he takes responsibility for the overall program, he believes it is ultimately the athletes’ role to perform during the event. He acknowledged that successes belong to the athletes themselves rather than to the coaching staff.
Regarding the international World Cup competitions, he mentioned that these events were not prioritized highly in the season’s planning, due to the focus on the Olympic Qualification Tournament, which is the main objective for the 2025-2026 Winter Games. Samplonius explained that athletes cannot maintain peak form multiple times in one season and that the World Cups were primarily intended to secure Olympic starting places as requested by the KNSB, the Dutch skating federation. He confirmed that all team members were asked if they wished to participate in these events, with some choosing not to, such as Merel Conijn.
Reflecting on the team’s recent outcomes, Samplonius stated that the performances were below expectations and that competing without aiming for top results was unacceptable. He emphasized that striving for wins is a key aspect of their participation and expressed confidence that the athletes will attain good form in the near future.
