There is unrest within the Dutch Olympic speed skating team after the appearance of a video series about Irene Schouten and Team Zaanlander. The Hoogkarspelse speaks badly about teammate Ireen Wüst in the episode together with her coach Jillert Anema.
According to Schouten and Anema, Wüst would not really think along in the team’s interests. National coach Jan Coopmans is also put in a negative light. Coopmans reacts against the Telegraph that he is disappointed with the statements made in the video series. “I find it disconcerting and not very uplifting. I did not know what I saw,” said the national coach.
“I find it disconcerting and not very uplifting”
Coopmans is angry and wants to sit down with Anema in Beijing and with the women’s pursuit team, of which Schouten and Wüst are part. Coopmans is particularly upset about the statements about Wüst. The five-time Olympic champion would not have acted in the best interests of the team at the World Cup games in Salt Lake City and did not push her teammates in the back at the right times.
“What is suggested about Wüst is really not right,” says Coopmans. “I don’t understand how they were able to bring this out like that. Ireen has been committed to the team for years.”
The Olympic skating tournament starts on Saturday 5 February with the 3000 meters for women. Irene Schouten immediately jumps into action at this distance. The quarterfinals of the team pursuit, with Schouten and Wüst, are a week later on Saturday 12 February.
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