Merel Conijn has announced her departure from Jillert Anema’s speed skating team after two years, seeking a new professional challenge.
NOS Schaatsen, published in the Netherlands, reports on Conijn’s decision to move on from the team.
The 24-year-old Dutch speed skater shared the news on her Instagram account, stating that she will provide further details about her future plans soon. Conijn earned a silver medal in the 5,000 meters event at the recent Winter Olympics, narrowly finishing behind the gold medalist Francesca Lollobrigida.
Following the Olympics, tensions arose between Conijn and coach Jillert Anema when the team designated only three skaters for the World Allround Championships. Conijn protested by not competing in the 3,000 meters at the Dutch Championships. Anema expressed surprise at her actions, but Conijn later apologized for the incident.
Under Anema’s guidance, the AH-Zaanlander team achieved significant success at the Winter Olympics, with medalists including Jorrit Bergsma and Marijke Groenewoud alongside Conijn. This departure marks another transition in Conijn’s career; she previously skated for Worldstream-Corendon under coach Jutta Leerdam in 2021 before moving to Jumbo-Visma with coach Jac Orie in 2022.
