Merel Conijn has to pack her skates again. In recent days in Beijing, she anxiously waited on the reserve bench to see if anyone from her team would drop out, but that is not the case. “It’s a downer,” says her father Sjaak Conijn. Still, she got one more surprise before leaving.
One hundredth in 3,000 meters and one tenth in 5,000 meters Conijn fell short of the OKT to qualify for the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, she was allowed to go to Beijing as a reserve. VSeveral corona infections have been reported in the village in recent days, but not in the Dutch team. Today got Merel therefore to hear that she is not allowed to make a debut at the Games.
Conijn’s parents still remember the OKT well. They were not allowed to be there physically, but they saw the exciting race on TV. “When we saw her emotion after the game, we had a hard time,” says her father, Sjaak Conijn. “Then you’re disappointed that you can’t comfort her.” Yet they were very proud that she was allowed to join as a reserve player, although they already thought that the chance that she would be allowed to participate was small. “You know the chances are slim, but you always have hope.”
Opening Ceremony
Despite the fact that Merel is not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, she still got a nice surprise. She will be attending the opening ceremony today. “That is a fantastic experience for her,” says her mother, Jacqueline Conijn. “We did not expect it, but for Merel it is very beautiful.” That is why they will certainly watch themselves and hope to see their daughter shine on TV.
Follow-up
Merel Conijn extends her trip until February 8, when she gets back on the plane in anticipation of the next adventure. From 3 to 6 March she will be skating on the World Allround Championships in Hamar (Norway). After the minus on the OKT, she picked herself up and won for the first the Dutch title all-round skating. That did not go unnoticed: “In Edam everyone spoke to us, everyone congratulated us,” says her mother. “Her parents are euphoric. “We are super proud. It is very nice to be able to come to Norway later, we are really looking forward to that.”