Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok plan to compete in the 1500 meter race at the upcoming Olympic Qualification Tournament, in addition to their usual sprint events.
De Telegraaf, a Dutch news outlet, reports on their expanded participation.
In Heerenveen, Jutta Leerdam announced she intends to compete in three distances at the Olympic Qualification Tournament, scheduled between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Along with the 500 and 1000 meters, her preferred event, Leerdam will also participate in the 1500 meters. She explained that this decision comes from having “not much to lose,” as the sprint events will have already concluded by that time. Although she does not harbor high expectations for the longer distance, she considers qualifying for it a bonus.
Leerdam follows the example of her frequent competitor Femke Kok, who has similar plans. Kok, known for her sprinting prowess, has also set her sights on the 1500 meters, where she is considered an unexpected contender. In October, Kok set a track record at Thialf on the 1500-meter distance with a time of 1:52.69, highlighting her competitive potential beyond the sprint events.
