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Bert Maalderink, a seasoned Dutch speed skating journalist working for the NOS, has gained attention during the Winter Olympics in Milan for his direct interviewing style, which has sometimes sparked debate.
According to Sportnieuws.nl, a sports news outlet in the Netherlands, Bert Maalderink is well known among speed skating fans for his decades-long career as a reporter. At 62 years old, he frequently interviews top skaters during events such as the World Cups and World Championships, maintaining a strong presence on the ice and rinkside.
Maalderink’s approach involves persistent questioning, which at times has generated criticism from both athletes and the public. For example, his interview with Jutta Leerdam during the Winter Olympics attracted attention after he repeatedly asked her about a treatment involving tapping her ankle with a hammer, an inquiry she declined to discuss. The exchange, as well as the interview following Leerdam’s gold medal 1000-meter race, received mixed reactions from viewers.
The journalist himself defends his style, distinguishing it as thorough follow-up rather than intrusive questioning. He expressed confidence that most skaters can handle robust interviews and that occasional tension can arise when athletes disagree with his line of inquiry. Maalderink’s career also includes significant experience covering Dutch national football, where his straightforward style sometimes led to disputes. Notably, former coach Dick Advocaat disliked a nickname Maalderink used, and former player Marco van Basten expressed frustration with his pointed questions during the 2008 European Championship. Despite feeling undermined by colleagues during that tournament and briefly submitting his resignation, Maalderink ultimately remained with NOS, continuing his journalism work.
Known personally to be married to Marlou Wens and father of two sons, Maalderink remains a prominent figure in Dutch sports media, especially during major skating competitions such as the Winter Olympics in Milan.
