Speed skater Femke Kok has spoken out in defense of her coach Dennis van der Gun after he faced criticism for a remark made during a medal celebration.
AD, a Dutch news outlet, reported on the incident and the response.
At a ceremony held at the TeamNL house to celebrate Kok’s gold medal win in the 500 meters, Van der Gun praised her achievements and expressed pride on behalf of the Netherlands. During his speech, he unexpectedly made a comment about Kok’s personal life, stating that while she had accomplished much, there was one thing she still did not have: a very nice boyfriend. This remark received a strong backlash online, with Van der Gun being accused of sexism by some commentators.
In response to the controversy on Tuesday afternoon, Kok addressed the situation for the first time. She stated that the comment was badly misunderstood and was made with good intentions. Kok emphasized Van der Gun’s significant role in her success and highlighted her comfort and respect when working with him, particularly as a woman. She also called for more kindness and caution in the way people speak about others, especially those they do not personally know.
