Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong secured the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1500 meter speed skating event on Friday evening, marking a significant milestone in her career.
According to NOS Schaatsen, the Dutch skater achieved victory with a very narrow margin, defeating Norway’s Ragne Wiklund by just 0.06 seconds in the Italian Winter Games. This win was a notable progression for Rijpma-de Jong, who had previously earned silver and bronze medals but had not yet captured the top podium spot at the Olympics.
Rijpma-de Jong’s win in the 1500 meters represents the culmination of years of dedication and resilience. Having faced challenges earlier in life, including bullying due to her red hair, she has overcome adversity to become an Olympic champion. Rijpma-de Jong emphasized the importance of perseverance and continued effort, stating that maintaining hope and striving for goals can lead to success despite setbacks. In 2025, she founded the Antoinette Foundation, aimed at boosting the confidence of children who have experienced bullying through sports.
Throughout her career, Rijpma-de Jong has collected national, European, and world titles, particularly in the 1500 and 3000 meters events. Before this Olympic gold, she had earned individual bronze medals in 2018 and 2022, as well as three team pursuit medals—two silvers and one bronze. This gold medal, obtained at her fourth Olympic Games in Milan, brought her a sense of relief and accomplishment. She expressed gratitude toward her family, coach, and supporters who have stood by her side throughout her journey.
Her coach, Gerard van Velde, praised her determination and training ethic, describing her as a persistent athlete who pushes herself continuously. The final moments of the race were intense, with Rijpma-de Jong and Wiklund nearly tied going into the last lap. Despite expectations that Wiklund was likely to finish stronger, Rijpma-de Jong managed to maintain her lead and finish ahead by a small margin. Even after the favored Japanese skater Miho Takagi finished without a podium placement, Rijpma-de Jong remained in first place.
After the race, Rijpma-de Jong described the support from the crowd as overwhelming and motivating. She highlighted the excitement and loud cheers from fans, both at the stadium and watching from home, as a special experience that made her victory even more memorable.
