By Pim Bijl
When Yvonne van Gennip skated to three gold medals in Calgary, Irene Schouten was not yet born, but when she has just stepped off the ice as the certified winner of the 5000 meters, Schouten already places her achievement in historical context. ,,One more, Yvonne,” she says with a wink in a cheerful hug hug in the center field of the Ice Ribbon. The team manager of the Dutch skating team laughs.
34 years ago Van Gennip won the 1500, 3000 and 5000 meters and now the counter is at two at Schouten. Immediately after the finish she threw her hands in the air, she didn’t need the screen to know that her ride was a ride of gold. But she’s not really out of her mind. About half an hour later she tells her story fairly calmly, as she walks from camera to camera. Her statement “hey joke, I have an interview with the NOS” – with her friend Dirkjan on the line – is one with eternal value for looking back.