Former Dutch speed skater Kuipers praises the emerging generation of Dutch skaters, acknowledging the high speeds and elevated level in the sport while noting the challenges the men face in winning gold at the Milan Games.
Schaatsen.nl, based in the Netherlands, reports on the perspectives of past Olympic champions regarding the current Dutch speed skating team.
Kuipers, a former sprint specialist, admired the impressive times achieved by the new Dutch skaters, saying it raises the sport’s standards. However, he expressed that the men’s competition at the Milan Games would be difficult, though the nature of the Olympics allows for unexpected results.
Stefan Groothuis, who won Olympic gold in the 1000 meters at Sochi, also commented on the excitement surrounding the men’s 1000-meter event, highlighting the presence of American skater Jordan Stolz as a major international contender. Groothuis noted that if Stolz performs at his best, it could be very challenging for the Dutch skaters. He also expressed optimism about Dutch competitors Jenning de Boo, Kjeld Nuis, and Joep Wennemars, identifying them as strong contenders on the short distances.
Erben Wennemars, present at the Milan event and a former speed skating champion himself, mentioned that the Dutch women currently hold the stronger chances, particularly on shorter distances, and suggested it was possible the Dutch women could win multiple gold medals even if the men did not secure any.
Bob de Jong, a veteran skater with four Olympic medals including gold in Turin, discussed the challenges faced by Dutch skaters on longer distances like the five and ten kilometers. He observed that other nations have made significant progress, breaking records and catching up with the Dutch, who are still performing well but no longer dominate these events.
Amid these challenges, De Jong highlighted Stijn van de Bunt as a promising talent. Van de Bunt is slated to compete in four events at Milan, indicating his rising status and potential to make an impact for the Netherlands.
The article closes by mentioning the departure of former Dutch skating legends heading to Milan, carrying their orange rolling suitcases and ready to witness how the next generation performs on the international stage.
