Smeding Leads Solo Effort Amid Calls for Speed Skating Investment
Sixteen years ago, Sir Steve Redgrave proposed a bold initiative to secure funding for a 400-meter speed skating oval in the UK. He envisioned that strategic investment could lead to multiple Olympic medals within a decade. Redgrave highlighted the potential for athletes transitioning from cycling and rowing to dominate in speed skating, competing with countries like the Netherlands, which is on the verge of winning its 50th Olympic gold medal.
Investment in Speed Skating: A Missed Opportunity?
Currently, UK Sport’s funding is heavily skewed. The organization tends to favor immediate returns over long-term potential. As such, speed skating receives only a fraction of the £1.9 million allocated to British Ice Skating, which covers various disciplines. In contrast, skeleton racing enjoys a larger share of £5.7 million.
- Speed skating offers 14 medal opportunities compared to just three for skeleton.
- Heavily funded sports often overshadow emerging talents.
Despite the promising outlook for speed skating, convincing the funding bodies remains a challenge. Athletes like Smeding and her partner, Cornelius Kersten, have resorted to creative financing methods, including running a coffee business, to support their training and competition schedules.
A New Training Environment for Smeding
In pursuit of improvement, Smeding relocated from her training base in the Netherlands to Canada, guided by coach Bart Schouten. This change came after a tough season marked by a hip injury. “It’s been a year of regaining my energy and happiness,” she shared in anticipation of her 1000-meter event.
The switch to a fresh environment has positively impacted her performance. “Being in the mountains and experiencing something new has rejuvenated my appreciation for the sport.” Smeding emphasized the benefits of having a different perspective on her training.
Viewing Options for the Upcoming Olympics
Fans eager to catch all the action from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics can do so via TNT Sports on discovery+. The platform will offer over 850 hours of live coverage, showcasing every sport, venue, and medal event.
As discussions around investment in speed skating continue, the potential for British athletes to excel in this sport remains a captivating topic. With the right support, the UK could indeed become a formidable contender in future competitions.
