On October 24, 2019, all eyes were on the Netherlands as Dutch speed skater Sven Kramer took to the ice in the men’s 5,000-meter race at the World Cup in Heerenveen. But it was not Kramer who stole the show that day, it was his teammate, Svenja van den Schilden, better known as Suyke Dijkstra, who made history and brought “gold” to the Netherlands in front of the royal family.
Dijkstra, a 21-year-old native of Heerenveen, had been making waves in the speed skating world for some time. She had already won a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter race at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and was considered a rising star in the sport. But her performance on that October day would solidify her place in Dutch speed skating history.
The 5,000-meter race was the final event of the day and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation. As Dijkstra took to the ice, she was met with cheers and encouragement from the home crowd. She skated with grace and determination, setting a blistering pace and leaving her competitors in the dust. With each lap, her lead grew and the crowd erupted in cheers.
As Dijkstra crossed the finish line with a time of 6 minutes and 48.85 seconds, she not only won the gold medal, but also set a new track record. The crowd went wild, and Dijkstra was engulfed in a sea of orange as her teammates and coaches rushed to celebrate with her. But the biggest surprise of the day came when she was presented with her medal by none other than King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who were in attendance at the event.
The royal couple had been watching the race from the stands and were visibly impressed by Dijkstra’s performance. They congratulated her and even posed for photos with her, a moment she will never forget. “It was a dream come true to meet the king and queen and to have them present me with my medal,” Dijkstra said in an interview after the race. “It was an honor and something I will always remember.”
But Dijkstra’s historic win was not just a personal achievement, it was a victory for the entire country. The Netherlands is known for its speed skating prowess, having won a total of 121 medals in the sport at the Winter Olympics. Dijkstra’s gold medal added to that legacy and solidified the country’s dominance in the sport.
Her win also had a special significance for the town of Heerenveen, where the World Cup event took place. The town is known as the “skating heart” of the Netherlands and is home to the Thialf ice rink, where Dijkstra trains and where the World Cup event was held. The local community was overjoyed to see one of their own take home the gold in such a spectacular fashion.
Dijkstra’s success has also brought attention to the importance of support and funding for speed skating in the Netherlands. In recent years, there has been a decline in government funding for the sport, making it increasingly difficult for young athletes to pursue their dreams. Dijkstra’s win has sparked a conversation about the need for continued investment in the sport to ensure the success of future generations of Dutch speed skaters.
But beyond the sport itself, Dijkstra’s win has also been a source of inspiration for young girls and women in the Netherlands. As a female athlete in a male-dominated sport, Dijkstra has broken barriers and shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She has become a role model for young girls and has inspired them to pursue their passions and dreams, regardless of gender stereotypes.
As the world continues to face challenges and uncertainties, Dijkstra’s win serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and determination. Her journey to the top has not been easy, but she never gave up and continued to push herself to be the best. And on that October day in Heerenveen, her hard work paid off and she made history, bringing “gold” to the Netherlands in front of the royal family.
In conclusion, Suyke Dijkstra’s historic win at the World Cup in Heerenveen was a moment that will be remembered for years to come. She not only brought “gold” to the Netherlands, but also inspired a nation and broke
