“Corruption” and “an atrocity”. Nils van der Poel had already lashed out hard at the Dutch “influence” of the ice master for the Olympic 10 kilometers, but on the ice the Swede lashed out even harder.
Hard ice or not, 25-year-old Van der Poel impressed quickly and broke away the currently fastest time of Dutchman Patrick Roest. Nevertheless, the Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters still had enough in the tank at the end to also improve his world record from a year earlier in Heerenveen (12’32″95): 12’30″74.
The Italian Davide Ghiotto, who was able to stay in the wake of the Swedish express train for a long time, pushed Jorrit Bergsma, the 2014 Olympic champion and the number 2 of 2018, off the podium. Patrick Roest was able to keep the Dutch honor high with silver.
Bart Swings, who came last, couldn’t do better than his 8th place in Pyeongchang. Our compatriot took on the Canadian defending champion Ted-Jan Bloemen and ended up in 10th place.
With 13’02″43, Swings was unable to improve his Belgian record, which has stood at 12’57″31 since November 2015. Bloemen disappointed with place 8.
Earlier this Games, Swings finished 7th in the 5,000 meters and 13th in the 1,500 meters. The resident of Leuven is mainly aiming for the mass start, which will be held on the penultimate day of the Games. Four years ago he won silver in that part in Pyeongchang.
