Rintje Ritsma, the national coach, has expressed frustration with the criticism directed at the Dutch speed skating team pursuit ahead of the European Championships and the Olympic Games, describing some media coverage as unfair.
NOS, a Dutch news outlet, reports on the coach’s reaction concerning the absence of the Olympic trio from the European Championship distances and the team’s lack of competition together prior to the Games.
In recent statements, Rintje Ritsma addressed ongoing questions about the status of the Dutch team pursuit squad. He acknowledged that the primary Olympic trio will not be present at the European Championships and that the team will not have the opportunity to compete together before the Olympics. Ritsma responded firmly to the scrutiny this situation has attracted, referring to some journalists’ coverage as ‘sewer journalism’.
The comments come amid tension and discussion within Dutch skating circles about the preparation strategies for the Olympic season. While the postponement of some competitions and lineup changes have sparked debate, the coach emphasized the importance of focusing on long-term performance goals rather than reacting to immediate criticism.
