Belgian speed skater Sandrine Tas has decided to withdraw from the 1500 meter event at the upcoming Winter Olympics to concentrate on the mass start race scheduled for later in the week.
Sporza, a Belgian news outlet, reported the update on Tas’s competition plans.
Sandrine Tas had originally been added to the 1500 meter race lineup for Friday after competing in the 3000 meter, 5000 meter, and team pursuit events earlier in the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. However, she chose to forego the 1500 meter to allow for better recovery time ahead of the mass start scheduled on Saturday.
Tas came close to winning a medal in the 5000 meter event earlier in the Games, demonstrating strong performance at the Olympics. Her decision to focus on the mass start is aimed at optimizing her chances in that particular event. The tight schedule between races was a key factor in her withdrawal from the 1500 meter distance.
