Speed skater Merel Conijn has criticized the Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) for selecting three female athletes for the World Allround Championships, describing the decision as unfair and saying it took away her chance to qualify for the event.
According to NOS, a Dutch public news outlet, the KNSB initially stated that at most two women and two men would be directly selected for the World Allround Championships, thereby exempting those athletes from having to qualify at the upcoming Dutch Allround Championships. However, the federation ultimately selected three women: Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, Joy Beune, and Marijke Groenewoud. As a result, female athletes competing at the Dutch Championships no longer have the opportunity to earn a World Championship spot through that event.
Conijn, who won a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the Milan Winter Games, emphasized that the decision was unfair not only to herself but also to other skaters not chosen for the Olympics who have continued training with the World Championships as their goal. She referenced KNSB regulations that state the winner of the Dutch Championships should qualify for Worlds and said everyone deserves an equal chance to compete for that spot. Despite her disappointment, Conijn plans to compete in the first day of the Dutch Allround Championships, asserting that she wants to uphold her competitive spirit and not withdraw from the event.
The KNSB selection committee explained that their decision to select three women was based on performances at the Winter Games in Milan and the Olympic qualification tournament in December, which made it difficult to clearly rank the top athletes among the women allrounders. Freek van der Wart of the selection committee stated that selecting all three skaters allows them to prepare for the World title on their own terms and safeguards their opportunity to compete.
Other selections include Jenning de Boo and Joep Wennemars for the men’s World Sprint Championships, leaving one final spot open at the Dutch Sprint Championships. For the women’s sprint team, Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok received spots, though Leerdam has since announced she will not participate. For the men’s World Allround Championships, Stijn van de Bunt and Chris Huizinga have been selected, leaving one remaining qualification spot available at the national event.
The World Allround and Sprint Championships are scheduled to take place from March 5 to 8 in Heerenveen.
