The Dutch government, along with regional authorities, is providing a total of 37.5 million euros to support the hosting of the Olympic speed skating competition at Thialf in Heerenveen during the 2030 Winter Games.
NOS Schaatsen, a news outlet from the Netherlands, reports on the official confirmation of Heerenveen as the site for the Olympic long track speed skating tournament in 2030.
Heerenveen’s selection aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “Vision 2025+5,” which advocates for more sustainable Summer and Winter Games by encouraging the use of existing venues rather than costly new constructions. This approach aims to avoid scenarios like those seen after the Rio 2016 Olympics, where stadiums suffer from neglect and deterioration long after the events.
The funding commitment includes up to 30 million euros from the national government, 5 million euros from the province of Friesland, and 2.5 million euros from the municipality of Heerenveen. Minister Mirjam Sterk, responsible for Long-Term Care, Youth and Sports, stressed the importance of contributing financially despite France being the main organizer of the Games. She highlighted the significance of hosting an Olympic event in the Netherlands for the first time in over a century.
Minister Sterk emphasized the broader benefits of hosting the event, suggesting that it offers an opportunity for the Netherlands to gain international visibility and inspire future generations of skaters. She pointed out that sporting events foster unity and can provide an economic boost both regionally and nationally.
Despite some reservations from athletes regarding the distance between Heerenveen and other venues in France, Sterk affirmed that the IOC’s decision took sustainability and practicality into account. Thialf, with its solar panels and existing infrastructure, was deemed a suitable and eco-friendly choice. She also mentioned that the geographical spread of Olympic events is not unprecedented, citing the vast area covered by the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The cooperation between the Dutch hosts and the French Olympic organizers received positive remarks from Edgar Grospiron, chairman of the French organizing committee. Through a video link, he praised the partnership and called Heerenveen “the place to be” for the speed skating competition, dismissing other locations like Turin as never having been serious contenders.
