In a grand way, Thialf said goodbye to Ireen Wüst and Sven Kramer. The skating icons were surprised with a huge show and big names. They were also told live that the curves in the Heerenveense skating temple are named after them.
From Thomas Bach to Mark Rutte, and from Claudia de Breij to Louis van Gaal: a huge list of celebrities, sports legends and big names came by to thank Kramer and Wüst and congratulate them on their fantastic careers.
The unexpectedly grand show was opened with a video message from Mark Rutte. You were the face of an era together. On behalf of the whole of the Netherlands, I would like to thank you enormously,” said the Prime Minister. Then came praise from Jan Dijkema, president of the International Skating Federation and Thomas Bach, president of the IOC.
No shortage of celebrities
Humberto Tan and Dolf Jansen gave a short speech, Stef Bos sang ‘Through the wind’ for Kramer and Claudia de Breij sang ‘Ireen’ – a song made especially for Wüst. From the international skating world, Sablikova, Chad Hadrick, Miho Takagi, among others, came by, and Dutch skating legend Ard Schenk announced the news of the bends.
Surprisingly, Louis van Gaal was also on the podium. “It is surprising that I am here,” said the national coach. “It is surprising that I am here. As a great sports fan, skating fan and proud Dutchman, I have often sat in front of the TV. As a small child I compared lap times with pen and paper. I knew many icons, but here are real sports icons.”
‘moved’
After the overwhelming show, Wüst and Kramer got the chance to say something themselves. ,,I am moved. I can’t think of a better goodbye than those 1500 meters in Thialf. And now this. Thialf, you have always been fantastic.”
Kramer looked at the bigger picture again: ,,It has exceeded every expectation today. There I am grateful to my team, my sponsors and especially Thialf. And last but not least: that we can do this in freedom and democracy, we should certainly be happy with that.”
Earlier in the day, the skater was appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau by Minister Conny Helder. Wüst had already been appointed Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau at the ceremony after the Olympic Games last month. In addition, there was an oeuvre prize and appointment as honorary members by director Herman de Haan of the skating association KNSB.
The farewell was concluded with a lap of honour, in which the recently retired skaters were the first to skate through the brand new Ireen Wüst corner and Sven Kramer corner. The frenzied crowd meanwhile threw thousands of stuffed animals onto the ice.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
#Skating #stamp #Thialf #honors #Wüst #Kramer #grand #farewell #Ireen #Wüst #bend #Sven #Kramer #bend