Colorless Games threaten for Knegt after new disappointment

The fourth and possibly last Olympic Games threaten to turn out to be a big disappointment for Sjinkie Knegt. After five days, the 32-year-old Frisian has already lost three of his four medal chances. Just like two days earlier in the 1000 meters, the short tracker was disqualified on Wednesday in the 1500 meters in the Capital Indoor Stadium. Knegt had started the tournament with elimination in the semi-finals of the mixed relay after a fall of Suzanne Schulting.

Where he was still angry after the 1000 meters and had an opinion about everything and anything, this time he seemed more resigned to his fate. “I did not realize that he was suffering so much. But when I looked back at the images, I saw that he was getting out of balance. But at least he did not lie down,” said Knegt about the Hungarian John-Henry Krueger.

“I just don’t get around to skating, that’s where it goes wrong. I’m just not in the right place,” Knegt continued in a calm tone. After his Olympic bronze and silver medal from the two previous Games in Sochi and Pyeongchang, Knegt wanted to add a third in China. Preferably the missing gold. At what distance it didn’t matter much to him, he said in the run-up to Beijing.

Do not stop

On the two individual distances, Knegt did not manage to get through to the final battle. “It is what it is,” he said after his race in the stadium’s catacombs. “It’s almost a sprint to get to the front. I fell short at the maximum speed to overtake others. What should I make of it? I could have done that if I had been in front six laps from the end, but I wasn’t. It’s all if, if, if.”

The only chance in Beijing for a third Olympic medal for Knegt now follows with the men’s relay team. The other Orange drivers are also not making the best impression these days, although Knegt sees it differently. “I feel good and I think the other guys driving the relay do too. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Knegt is not thinking about stopping short track after the Games. “There was no sign anywhere that this was my last individual chance. In four years’ time there will be the Olympic Games again? I’m definitely thinking about that, yes.”