Kjeld Nuis cannot defend his Olympic title in the 1000 meters. He finished fourth at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Thialf and only the top three took a ticket in the kilometer for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Hein Otterspeer finished third and can prepare for his first Olympics. That brought tears to Otterspeer.
Thomas Krol (Jumbo-Visma) won the 1000 meters at the OKT in a time of 1.07.24 and thus also grabbed a ticket for the 1000 meters, just like world champion and Dutch champion Kai Verbij (1.07.48).
Nuis took on teammate Otterspeer in his stage. The 32-year-old skater from Reggeborgh finished in 1.07.64 and was therefore a fraction slower than Otterspeer (1.07.52). Then we had to wait and see what the competition did.
Krol turned out to be faster and in the final stage Verbij also dived under the times of Otterspeer and Nuis. Not a disaster for Otterspeer, because as number three he can also go to China for the Olympic Games in February. Nuis, on the other hand, was the first loser as number four.
Nuis will still compete in the 1500 meters tomorrow. The 32-year-old skater also won Olympic gold at that distance in 2018. Nuis previously grabbed the OKT for the 2010 Games in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi just next to the starting spots. At the Games in Pyeongchang he got his revenge with two gold medals.
Krol after win: ‘So relieved’
Krol was ‘intensely relieved’ that he was able to secure a starting ticket for the Olympic Games in Heerenveen in the 1000 meters. ,,It was a battlefield and the level was immense. I knew I had it in me, but you have to do it. Thank God it came out today,” said 29-year-old Krol in front of the camera of the NOS. ,,It was a ‘horror day’ in terms of tension, but I am so relieved. It’s a bit of a disappointment from four years ago that is now being washed away.”
Nuis just missed placing and finished fourth in the strong field. ,,One of the four had to fall off, that could have happened to me too,” said Krol. “The difference between winning and losing was small. I was quite a bit emotional.”
Earlier today, the women competed for Olympic starting places in the 1500 meters. Read here how that went.
Do you want to relive day four of the OKT? Read the live blog below:
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