Orange on top at the Youth Olympic Games in South Korea, where 16-year-old skater Jasmijn Veenhuis from Gieten won a silver medal in the mass start. She came second behind compatriot Angel Daleman. “It was really a dream,” she says, reminiscing about her sporting achievement.
Because a medal was anything but a certainty. She started the tournament with a disappointing result in the 500 meters. “I was still tired from the long journey and only finished twelfth in the first distance. I should have left a little earlier, so that I was used to the conditions there.”
A wise lesson for next time. However, it turned out to be the prelude to more. “After that I came eighth in the 1,500 meters, which I was actually very satisfied with.” This was followed by her highlight during the Youth Games.
In a packed stadium she came second on the mass start. “We entered the final together with my teammate Angel Daleman and the plan we had devised in advance went perfectly.” So it happened. Daleman came first, Veenhuis second. Gold and silver for the Netherlands.
The silver medal marked the absolute highlight of her Olympic tournament. With the medal of honor and a wealth of experience, she is now back in our little country. “I have learned to deal with disappointments and can now deal with my nerves better. I have also met a lot of nice people from all kinds of different countries.”
One day she hopes to be at the adult edition of the Olympic Games. “Who knows, I’ll certainly do everything I can to make that possible,” she says confidently.