The prospects for hosting part of the 2030 Winter Olympics speed skating events at Thialf ice stadium in Heerenveen, Netherlands, have strengthened following recent developments involving the French organizing committee.
The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on the latest progress for the potential Olympic venue.
The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps and the city of Nice; however, the lack of a 400-meter speed skating rink in southern France has led organizers to consider alternative locations for the skating competitions. Initially, both Turin in Italy and Heerenveen’s Thialf were shortlisted. Turin, approximately 250 kilometers from Nice, has previous experience hosting Olympic speed skating events, notably where Dutch skater Ireen Wüst won her first gold medal in 2006. Heerenveen, nearly 1500 kilometers away, has been noted for its high-quality facilities and sustainability standards.
Recent statements confirmed that Turin is currently no longer in contention, increasing the likelihood of Thialf hosting the skating tournament. Thialf director Minne Dolstra highlighted that the venue is well-known globally for both elite and community-level skating and praised the French committee’s prioritization of environmentally sustainable solutions, which negates the need for new construction if Thialf is selected.
As part of ongoing efforts to support the bid, representatives from Thialf, the municipality of Heerenveen, the province of Friesland, and the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) have actively engaged with the French organizers, responding to numerous queries. They emphasize the advantages of Thialf and the Netherlands’ strong sporting tradition.
Concerns about the considerable distance between Nice and Heerenveen have been addressed by citing precedents from other Olympic Games, such as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, and the 2028 Summer Olympics when some events will take place hundreds of kilometers away from the main host city. These examples illustrate that geographically separated venues can maintain Olympic standards and atmospheres.
Thialf director Dolstra further assured that the venue can provide an authentic Olympic experience, including plans for a dedicated athlete village, countering fears expressed by some Dutch skaters about missing out on the Olympic ambiance. Recent successful hosting of World Championships for allround and sprint speed skating at Thialf has demonstrated the venue’s capability to organize high-caliber international events effectively.
The final decision on the location for the 2030 Olympic speed skating events is expected by the end of June. Should Heerenveen be selected, the organizers aim to host a large-scale Olympic celebration, combining top-level sports competition with a sustainable and festive atmosphere.
