Irene Conijn has chosen to leave the speed skating team led by Jillert Anema following two seasons marked by notable performances, including two bronze medals at the 2025 World Single Distances Championships and a second-place finish at the Dutch Allround Championships.
Schaatsen.nl, the official Dutch speed skating news outlet, reports on the recent developments regarding Conijn’s departure.
Conijn’s decision comes after a period of progress under Anema and Arjan Samplonius, following two difficult seasons at Jumbo-Visma where her results were less favorable. Upon joining Anema’s team, she quickly improved, managing to qualify at the Olympic Qualification Tournament at the end of 2025 for the two longest distances at the Milan event. Despite this success, she skipped participation in three of the four World Cup events leading up to the tournament, citing a reluctance to travel abroad, attending only the Heerenveen 5,000 meters where she placed fifth.
An additional point of interest surrounded Conijn’s departure from the Dutch Allround Championships after the 500 meters event. Earlier, she expressed frustration over being excluded from consideration for the World Allround Championships, as the Selection Committee allocated all three spots based on Olympic event results. After completing the 500 meters, she unexpectedly left the event at Thialf, with her coaches unsure of her reasons at the time.
Conijn commented that the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships had been taken away from her and others who had continued training after missing the Olympics, calling the situation unfair. She later indicated that illness and lack of fitness contributed to her inability to continue competing.
