Winter Games: Kok, Velzeboer, Van ‘t Wout Poised for More Medals

During the 14th day of the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Dutch athletes are eyeing new medal opportunities in speed skating and short track events. Female speed skater Femke Kok is aiming for her third medal, competing in the 1,500 meters after securing gold in the 500 meters and silver in the 1,000 meters.

Medal Contenders: Kok, Velzeboer, and Van ‘t Wout

The women’s 1,500-meter event, starting at 16:30, is significant for Kok. She will race alone in her first heat due to a lack of World Cup experience in this distance. Kok has a chance to make history; historically, only once has an athlete won Olympic gold from the first heat, a feat accomplished by Jacqueline Börner in 1992.

Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, who captured bronze in the 1,500 meters at the last Games, will compete in her first individual distance in Milan. Rijpma-de Jong recently earned silver in team pursuit alongside Marijke Groenewoud and Joy Beune. Groenewoud will also compete in the 1,500 meters.

International Competition

• Ragne Wiklund: Silver medalist in the 3,000 meters.
• Miho Takagi: Bronze medalist in the 1,000 meters and silver medalist in the 1,500 meters from the previous Olympics.

Short Track Highlight: Suzanne Schulting’s Comeback

In the short track, races will resume at 20:15, with Suzanne Schulting making her return in the 1,500 meters. The 28-year-old athlete has had limited competition due to injuries over the past two years but secured her spot with a strong performance at the national championships.

The Velzeboer sisters, Xandra and Michelle, will also compete in the 1,500 meters. Xandra Velzeboer has already won gold in both the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, seeking a third medal after a disappointing team relay performance earlier this week.

Men’s Relay Finale

On the men’s side, the relay team, featuring Jens van ‘t Wout—who has two gold medals—and his brother Melle, aims to add more medals to their collection. The men’s relay final promises to be an exciting conclusion to the short track events.

Other Winter Games Events

With events impacted by snow delays, today also includes freestyle skiing competitions, such as the women’s cross, men’s halfpipe, and men’s aerials. In ice hockey, the semifinals will see Canada face Finland and the United States compete against Slovakia. Additionally, the curling tournaments are nearing their conclusion, featuring women’s semifinals and the men’s consolation match.

The biathlon will showcase a mass start for men at 14:15, where thirty competitors will race simultaneously over 15 kilometers.

The Olympics can be followed throughout the day via NPO 1, along with coverage on Filmogaz.com and their app, including live updates and results available via Teletekst and social media channels.