The Dutch Ireen Wuest won her sixth Olympic gold medal. The 35-year-old legend in speed skating won the women’s 1,500m title with a new Olympic record of 1:53.28 minutes. Thus, Ireen Wuest won the second consecutive and third Olympic title in the 1,500m, and the Netherlands added a second gold in two starts at the ladies of the Beijing Olympics.
Ireen Wuest made a great last lap – the only one under 31 seconds, which shot her ahead of everyone else in the race.
World record holder Miho Takagi from Japan was second in 0.44 seconds. Before the final 400m, Takagi was only 0.03 seconds behind Ireen Wuest, but her strength was not enough in the last lap.
The bronze medal went to another Dutchwoman, Antoinette de Jong, who finished 1.54 seconds behind Ireen Wuest.
Ayano Sato (Japan), Marijke Groenewoud (the Netherlands), and Francesca Lollobrigida (Italy) are also in the top six.
For Ireen Wuest, this is a gold medal at the fifth consecutive Olympics, and her incredible series began with the title of 3,000m from the Torino 2006 Olympics.
“I always say I have five children, but now I have to say that it’s like having six children and you can’t choose which is the most beautiful. All my gold medals mean a lot to me”, said Ireen Wuest after the final. Three years ago, the Dutchwoman experienced one of the most difficult moments in her life, as she lost her close friend and teammate Paulien van Deutekom. She died of lung cancer at the age of 37. “I cried because I missed my best friend, who died three years ago. A lot has happened to me in the last 16 years and that’s why I’ve been more emotional. One overcomes a lot of difficulties along the way. It’s easiest to win the first time, and now it’s the hardest”, added the speed skater legend. “I always say that age is just a number, but I’m already 35 and I want to have children. So at some point, I’ll have to give up. I’m very happy. Knowing this is my last year, I enjoy it even more. “I made the decision before that and I’m happy to be able to give up at the highest level”, said also Ireen Wuest.
She will also take part in the 1,000m race at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
Final ranking in the Women’s 1,500m speed skating:
1. Ireen Wuest (Netherlands) – 1:53.28 minutes (Olympic record)
2. Miho Takagi (Japan) – 1:53.72 minutes
3. Antoinette de Jong (Netherlands) – 1:54.82 minutes
