Canadian speed skating champion Ted-Jan Bloemen has announced his retirement, concluding a distinguished career marked by Olympic medals and world record achievements.
ISU News, published in Canada, reports on Bloemen’s retirement after a career spanning from 2009 to 2026.
Ted-Jan Bloemen’s journey in speed skating began in the Netherlands, where he learned to skate before switching to represent Canada in 2014. This transition marked the start of his most successful period in the sport, quickly establishing him as a leading long-distance competitor on the international stage.
One of Bloemen’s significant career highlights was breaking Sven Kramer’s decade-old world record in the 5000m event in 2017. He achieved Olympic success at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games by winning the gold medal in the 10,000m and silver in the 5000m. In addition to his Olympic accomplishments, Bloemen secured the World Single Distance title in the 5000m in 2020, adding to his impressive achievements.
His final competition took place at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, where he finished ninth in the 10,000m race. While the result contrasted with his career highs, Bloemen reflected on the experience as a meaningful farewell, notable for the presence of his family and the occasion itself.
Despite retiring from competition, Bloemen intends to remain involved in the sport. He has expressed interest in coaching and mentoring, emphasizing a desire to share his knowledge and contribute to the development of future athletes within speed skating.
Bloemen’s legacy is defined by his strength in endurance events, record-breaking performances, and Olympic successes representing Canada. His career encapsulates persistence and excellence, spanning from his early years skating in the Netherlands to reaching the pinnacle of his sport.
