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Diamars, 17 October 2023 AWEMainta SPORTS 39
Irene Schouten Rekindles Her Spirit
Ahead of New Speed Skating Season
IRENE Schouten, the three-time Olympic champion from that aspect last year. Now, I have a better grasp of it. I want
the Netherlands, is gearing up for a new speed skating to perform well in speed skating, so I must rest well.”
season with a renewed spirit. Despite concluding the
previous season with a world title, it had been an arduous, She also emphasized that while she keeps busy, she’s now
emotionally challenging year for the athlete. She admitted better at managing her commitments.
that she wasn’t feeling entirely “happy” leading up to the Schouten’s preparations for the new season included a
World Championships, which took an emotional toll. training camp in Tahoe City, USA, where her focus was purely
on training and rest. She managed to achieve another goal
However, just under two weeks before the new speed skating by encountering bears during one of her cycling sessions.
season commences, the 31-year-old Schouten’s infectious The speed skating season kicks off for Dutch top skaters on
smile is back. As the most successful Dutch Olympian from October 27 with the qualification tournament for the World
the last Winter Games, she reflects on the summer, sharing Cups. Schouten, however, sees these competitions as not
tales of encountering bears in America and the important being her main focus. She aims to use the World Cup events
lesson she learned: the power of saying “no.” to build up to her primary goal: the World Single Distance
Schouten was in the spotlight following her golden winter Championships in Calgary.
in 2022, securing Olympic titles in the 3,000 meters, 5,000
meters, and mass start. The fame and opportunities that The qualification competitions may not reflect her peak
followed made it difficult for her to make tough choices performance, but Schouten is determined to hit her stride
regarding commitments such as honors, presentations, and later in the season. Her aspirations include improving her
commercial obligations. personal best on the 5,000 meters and possibly setting a new
world record, currently held by Russia’s Natalja Voronina at
The demanding summer schedule took a toll on her, culmi- 6:39.02.
nating in an emotional moment at the Dutch National On the occasion of her first training race of the season, Irene
Championships (NK afstanden), where she barely secured a Schouten displayed remarkable form, clocking 3:59.00 on
World Championship ticket. Tears flowed as she shared her the 3,000 meters. This achievement was exceptional; no
feelings with the NOS microphone. woman had ever gone under four minutes during a training
Schouten commented, “Sometimes, I forget that I’m a top race at Thialf, Heerenveen. Her performance hints at a prom-
athlete and, therefore, need to train and rest. I overlooked ising start to the season.
