The Thialf ice stadium in Heerenveen will host the Olympic long-track speed skating competition in 2030, marking the first time in 102 years that the Netherlands will hold Olympic events on its soil.
NOS, a Dutch news outlet, reports on this development.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had previously approved the selection, and the French organizing committee for the 2030 Winter Olympics recently confirmed Thialf as the venue for the speed skating events. The announcement was made during a meeting of the French Alpine Games organizers, finalizing Heerenveen as the location. This decision enables the Netherlands to host Olympic competitions for the first time since the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.
Due to the absence of a 400-meter speed skating rink in France, the French organizers began searching several years ago for an international venue to host the long-track speed skating events. Representatives from the Dutch Olympic Committee and sports federation, the Thialf arena, the national skating association (KNSB), and regional and national governments engaged in extensive discussions regarding the possibility. The talks became particularly promising in recent weeks, leading to the exclusion of other contenders, such as Turin, Italy, about six weeks ago. The IOC formally endorsed Thialf the week prior to the French committee’s confirmation.
Heerenveen stands out as the only location outside France where Olympic events will take place in connection with the 2030 Games. Historically, Olympic competitions have rarely been held outside the host country. The closest precedents include sailing events partially held in Amsterdam during the 1920 Antwerp Games, equestrian events in Stockholm during the 1956 Melbourne Games due to quarantine restrictions, and the 2008 Beijing equestrian events hosted in Hong Kong. Though the latter involved athletes competing under the Chinese flag, it still represents a rare cross-border arrangement.
After many European and World Championships have been hosted in Thialf, the upcoming Olympic competition will be a significant milestone for the venue and the country. Later today, key stakeholders are scheduled to provide further details on the implications of bringing the Olympic speed skating tournament to the Netherlands.
