After competing at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Dutch skater Suzanne Schulting has opened up about her feelings of disappointment and the challenges she continues to face in her skating career.
Women’s Health Magazine, published in the Netherlands, conducted an exclusive interview with Schulting concerning her recent Olympic experiences and outlook.
Schulting, 28, participated in both the 1000 meter long track and 1500 meter short track events at the Winter Olympics but did not win a medal. She described feeling frustrated, particularly after a semifinal short track race where she slipped on a patch of ice. The experience remains emotionally raw, and she admitted she has not yet reviewed her performances in detail because the disappointment is still significant.
She shared that after returning home, she found support from her partner, fellow skater Joep Wennemars, noting that they both had difficult tournaments and often support each other through highs and lows. Despite her frustrations, Schulting emphasized the need to quickly move forward, focusing now on the upcoming Dutch national championships and future competitions.
Though Schulting holds three Olympic gold medals in her career, she said that her Winter Olympics experience felt incomplete. For example, despite her strong performances at the Dutch championships, she was not selected for the relay team by coach Niels Kerstholt, a decision she found frustrating but accepted. She also noted that her inclusion in the long track events was a pleasant surprise, as she had previously focused mainly on short track while recovering from an ankle injury.
Her recovery from an ankle fracture had cast doubt on her ability to continue short track skating, and she admitted at one point she feared she might have to give up the discipline. Over time, her confidence returned, especially after successful performances at qualification events, allowing her to skate again without pain — an outcome she did not expect.
Regarding the current short track team dynamics, Schulting offered a nuanced perspective. While some have described the team as closer and more stable than before, she noted that the sense of unity has existed in various forms over the past several years, influenced by different coaching staff. She acknowledged that the new leadership builds on foundations laid by former coach Jeroen Otter but emphasized that the team’s cohesion is not a new development.
Looking ahead, Schulting remained pragmatic about public criticism, stating that only a small fraction of negative comments affect her. She was noncommittal about her long-term plans but said she is currently focused on national and potential world championships. Beyond that, she plans to take time to assess her future direction in the sport.
