Speed skating champion Joep Wennemars has been left feeling robbed of a medal in the men’s speed skating 1000m final at the 2026 Winter Olympics after a run-in with a Chinese competitor mid-race.
Drama unfolded when Wennemars and Lian Ziwen collided while racing in the 11th pair.
While changing lanes after a turn, Ziwen – who was in the inside lane – clipped Wennemars’ skate, while the Dutchman was on track to register a sizzling time.
It was described as a “disaster” by TNT Sports commentator Carlton Kirby as Wennemars lost speed noticeably, preventing him from making a strong finish and registering a time that would have almost certainly secured him at least a medal.
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“That was an absolute nightmare for him. What a shame,” Kirby said.
“He must have believed he could have got there. Surely that would have been the Olympic record for Wennemars, and I think he knows it.”
The crowd could be heard booing as soon as the tangle had taken place.
Wennemars was fuming as he crossed the line, extending his arms out while having a go at Ziwen before giving him a little push.
The skater in the outside line is granted right of way on exchanges, and upon review, officials disqualified the Chinese skater and granted Wennemars a re-skate.
But the 23-year-old was clearly exhausted from his earlier run and was skating on deteriorating ice and therefore could only manage the fifth-fastest time.
Speaking after the event, Wennemars said his Olympic dream had been “ripped apart”.
“I am devastated. My Olympic dream has been ripped apart. I am heartbroken – this is just horrible,” Wennemars said.
“I was just racing my own line and then the Chinese guy blocked my road … I do not know what else to say.
“I was on my way to win a medal. It is a disgrace that I had to do the re-skate already half an hour later. If it was up to the ISU (International Skating Union), they wanted me to do it 20 minutes after the race had ended.
“It is unfair – everybody knows that. I had to do the re-skate without any wind flow and with no opponent to race against. Everybody here believes I would have won a medal.”
He said Lian, 27, had apologised, but that it doesn’t make him feel any better.
“But that (apology) does not help in any way. I was on my way to win bronze — perhaps even silver. The opportunity to win a medal has been taken away from me,” Wennemars added.
“I do not know what to feel right now. I want to cry, but the tears won’t come. I cannot believe it.”
Lian told Chinese media he felt he had ben “hit” by Wennemars.
“When I was rounding the corner, I felt Wennemars was very close to me, and I was accelerating to exit the corner at full speed,” he said.
“He stepped on my skate blade. I don’t understand why the referee gave me a penalty.”
He went on to say: “I really feel sorry for Wennemars. Every athlete prepares for four years for the Olympics. That’s why I said ‘sorry’ to him at the end.
“But he was very emotional and hit me once. I don’t think it’s necessary to express anger on the track.”
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