Philip Due Schmidt, a Danish speed skater, has faced significant health challenges in his pursuit of Olympic qualification but continues to demonstrate determination as he aims for the upcoming Winter Games.
ISU Skating, based in Switzerland, reports on Due Schmidt’s journey from a severe medical event to competing again at the highest level.
Since competing at the inaugural Youth Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck in 2012, Philip Due Schmidt has aimed to qualify for the senior Olympic Winter Games. However, in 2023, just days before competing at the World Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen, he suffered an epileptic seizure that left him in a coma for two days. This critical health episode required a long and challenging recovery process, reshaping his perspective on his Olympic ambitions.
This season, Due Schmidt has qualified among the top 24 competitors in the Mass Start ranking and needs to meet a qualifying time in one of the classic distances to be eligible for the Olympics in Milan. To achieve this, he travelled to Salt Lake City for final races with the goal of skating 1 minute 48 seconds in the 1500m or 6 minutes 30 seconds in the 5000m. He believes the 5000m event offers his best chance, having closely approached that time in previous World Cup performances.
Due Schmidt’s skating career began around 2003, starting with inline skating and later transitioning to ice skating through an ISU development project. Alongside his older brother Stefan, who competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Philip progressed steadily through international competition. Although he missed the 2022 Beijing Olympics, working instead as a television commentator, his commitment to the sport and his goal remained strong.
During the 2022-2023 season, Due Schmidt enjoyed his best performance yet, placing 14th in World Cup standings. However, the seizure at Heerenveen disrupted his momentum and forced him into a lengthy recovery. He has since returned to competition but acknowledges the challenges in regaining his previous endurance, particularly in longer distance events like the 5000m.
His recovery was supported by family, friends, teammates, and the broader skating community, particularly during a period with reduced funding and limited ability to work or study. Due Schmidt credits this support with enabling his return to training and competition, highlighting the importance of mental and financial assistance following his medical crisis.
As the decisive qualifying races approach, Philip Due Schmidt remains focused on giving his best effort, regardless of the outcome. While qualifying for the Olympic Games would fulfill a long-held dream and serve as a testament to his perseverance, he recognizes the value of his journey and growth beyond the competition results.
