The traditionally Dutch-dominated 5km speed skating event is now facing strong international competition, with Dutch athletes unlikely to secure gold at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan.
AD.nl, published in the Netherlands, reports on the current challenges faced by Dutch long-distance speed skaters.
For decades, the Netherlands has been the dominant force in long-distance speed skating, particularly the 5000-meter race. However, this season the Dutch athletes find themselves trailing behind international competitors. If the upcoming Olympic race in Milan follows recent performance trends, Dutch skaters Marcel Bosker, Stijn van de Bunt, and Chris Huizinga may not reach the podium, marking a significant shift in the sport’s competitive landscape.
Historically, Dutch men have consistently medaled in the 5000 meters at the Winter Olympics since 1984 in Sarajevo, when no medal was won and the best Dutch result was ninth place by Hilbert van der Duim. Since then, notable skaters such as Sven Kramer, Rintje Ritsma, Patrick Roest, and others have secured multiple medals, with Kramer winning three Olympic golds in this event alone. The current season, however, showcases rising international talents including Norway’s Sander Eitrem – who recently broke the six-minute barrier – the French skater Timothy Loubineaud, Czech Metodej Jílek, American Casey Dawson, and Italians Davide Ghiotto and Michele Malfatti.
Sander Eitrem, inspired by his childhood admiration for Sven Kramer, credits the Dutch success legacy but also notes that Norway experienced a similar hiatus following the era of Johann Olav Koss. Marcel Bosker reflects on the evolution of training, suggesting that the Dutch approach has become stagnant, with an emphasis on traditional methods focusing on strength. In contrast, competitors like Loubineaud adopt higher stroke rates with less power per stroke, demonstrating a different style that has shown promising results internationally.
Within the Dutch team Reggeborgh, Bosker’s efforts to implement new training strategies have prompted internal discussions, though progress has been slower than anticipated. Chris Huizinga, set to make his Olympic debut, considers winning gold unrealistic given the fierce competition but aims to perform his best and potentially contend for a podium spot. He acknowledges the impact of athletes like Sweden’s Nils van der Poel, who broke Dutch dominance four years ago and inspired others by proving the Netherlands can be challenged in speed skating.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Dutch fans face the prospect of watching their long-held supremacy in the 5000-meter event being tested by the rising capabilities of international skaters, echoing the scenario last seen more than 40 years ago.
