The Dutch men’s team pursuit speed skating squad faced difficulties once again at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, failing to secure a medal amid internal challenges and ongoing criticism.
Telegraaf.nl, a Dutch news outlet, reported on the situation.
The expectations were high for the Netherlands, a leading speed skating nation known for top athletes earning salaries comparable to professional footballers. Despite this, the men’s team pursuit failed to earn a medal once again, mirroring the disappointment experienced at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. The event in Milan highlighted ongoing issues within TeamNL’s strategy and selection, particularly under the guidance of head coach Rintje Ritsma, who introduced a new lineup for the 13th time since the Beijing Games.
Coach Ritsma initially replaced Marcel Bosker, one of TeamNL’s most debated skaters before the Games, with Jorrit Bergsma for the semifinals against Italy. Although this change showed promise, the team narrowly lost the semifinal. Subsequently, Bosker remained on the bench during the bronze medal race and reacted emotionally by leaving the venue temporarily, causing further complications. This absence during a crucial battle against China was met with confusion and disapproval by the coach and teammates.
Bosker explained his departure as a brief moment to refresh, expecting the team to reach the podium. However, his private coach, former Olympic champion Gerard van Velde, insisted on his immediate return to the rink. Team officials expressed that Bosker’s actions deviated from their pre-agreed team commitments emphasizing unity and mutual support, highlighting the tensions present within the squad.
The competition itself was tight, with the Dutch team narrowly missing out on a medal by less than a tenth of a second to China. Meanwhile, other skaters such as Stijn van de Bunt and Jorrit Bergsma demonstrated strong form leading up to and during the Olympics, complicating selection decisions. Bosker acknowledged understanding the coach’s choices despite his disappointment.
Rintje Ritsma reflected on the outcomes stating his distaste for losing, but noted that the team’s performance was the best of the season relative to their potential. He indicated openness to continuing as coach after some recovery from the current frustrations. Team members indicated that much of the criticism should be directed toward the technical director rather than the skaters themselves, citing structural challenges in forming a cohesive team among several commercial clubs in the Netherlands.
Since the introduction of the team pursuit event, the Netherlands has won Olympic gold only once, in 2014, underscoring the difficulties faced despite the country’s strong speed skating tradition. Discussions about potential future changes in team composition and management are ongoing to improve performance in upcoming competitions.
