Olympic speed skater Nuis expressed both confidence and realism ahead of his next race, acknowledging the high level of competition and praising his peers’ performances.
Schaatsen.nl, based in the Netherlands, reported on Nuis’s recent comments during a press briefing.
During a lively interview, Nuis conveyed his energetic thoughts by moving swiftly from topic to topic. He acknowledged his previous undefeated record in the Olympic races, stating, “I stand here undefeated at the start (he won all three of his Olympic races), but unfortunately that will change tomorrow, sorry guys. I certainly will not win tomorrow. It would be unrealistic to say otherwise.” He reflected on his current season by noting that he had already reached the podium once in Hamar, finishing third close behind Damian Zurek and just three-quarters of a second behind Jordan Stolz. He described the prospect of earning a medal as an excellent achievement, given the depth of competition, adding, “There are still nine others who could reach the podium. That’s truly incredible.”
Shifting to another subject, Nuis praised the ice conditions and the performances of skaters Femke and Jutta, highlighting that despite earlier concerns, the ice quality allowed for times comparable to Salt Lake City and Calgary, which was unexpected after the first day of skating. He commended the ice technicians, acknowledging the high tempo and level of racing possible under these conditions.
Returning to the competitive field, Nuis emphasized the intense rivalry, stating, “Femke and Jutta are clearly ahead of the rest, with a tight contest between them. On the men’s side, there are at least ten skaters capable of reaching the podium. Besides Stolz, who is unbeaten, the competition is wide open. You have Joep Wennemars, Jenning, Zurek, Marek Kania, Zhongyan Ning, and hopefully me as well. It will come down to who is in the best form on the day, making for a thrilling contest.”
