Collision derails Joep Wennemars’ Olympic hopes
Dutch speed skater Joep Wennemars faced disappointment at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games when a collision with Chinese rival Lian Ziwen impacted his medal chances during the men’s 1,000 metres final, reports BritPanorama.
At 23 years old, Wennemars arrived in Milan as a strong contender, having set a personal best of 1:06.44 seconds in Calgary late last year and previously claimed gold at the World Single Distances Championships.
His frustration was palpable at the finish line as he raised his arms in disbelief after the race. After the incident, he pushed Lian away as the crowd reacted with boos.
The collision occurred when both skaters were transitioning lanes; Wennemars was in the outside lane and expected to have right of way. Lian moved aggressively, contacting Wennemars’ blade, which unsettled the Dutch skater. Consequently, Wennemars finished in 1:07.58 seconds, placing fifth overall.
Most regrettably for the world champion, he landed just 0.24 seconds behind the bronze medal position. Following the incident, officials disqualified Lian for impeding his opponent, allowing Wennemars a chance to race again. Unfortunately, his second attempt did not improve his standing.
Racing again around 30 minutes later, Wennemars clocked a time of 1:08.46 seconds, nearly a second slower than his original effort, leaving his initial time as his official result. Had he matched his personal best, he would have been a contender for silver, given that American Jordan Stolz took gold with an Olympic record of 1:06.28 seconds.
In this competition, Wennemars’ compatriot Jenning De Boo secured silver, while China’s Ning Zhongyan claimed bronze. The Netherlands continues to excel in speed skating, having won twelve medals at the Beijing Games four years ago, including six golds. Already at these Games, Dutch skater Jutta Leerdam achieved gold in the women’s 1,000 metres, setting a new Olympic record, earning her fiancé, YouTuber Jake Paul, to shed tears of pride in the stands.
In a sport where the margins are razor thin, Wennemars’ experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition. It’s a poignant illustration of how quickly aspirations can be dashed in the hunt for glory.
