Dutch speed skater Joep Wennemars was left furious at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games after a collision with Chinese rival Lian Ziwen derailed his medal hopes in a dramatic men’s 1,000 metres final.
The 23-year-old Netherlands star, who claimed gold at last year’s World Single Distances Championships, arrived in Milan as a genuine podium contender following a personal best of 1:06.44 seconds set in Calgary late last year.
His frustration was evident at the finish line, where he threw his arms up in dismay at what had unfolded during his Olympic debut.
When Lian approached him afterwards, Wennemars pushed him away as the crowd booed.
The incident occurred as both skaters prepared to switch lanes following a turn, with Wennemars positioned on the outside track where he should have had right of way.
Lian made an aggressive move towards the outside lane, making contact with the Dutch skater’s blade in the process.
The collision left Wennemars unsettled, and he crossed the line in 1:07.58 seconds.
That time placed him fifth overall in the competition standings.
Dutch speed skater Joep Wennemars was left furious at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games
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REUTERS
Most painfully for the world champion, he finished a mere 0.24 seconds behind the bronze medal position.
Officials subsequently disqualified Lian for impeding his opponent, granting Wennemars the chance to race again.
However, the second attempt only compounded the Dutchman’s misery.
Taking to the ice approximately 30 minutes after the original incident, Wennemars was unable to replicate his earlier performance.
Joep Wennemars claimed gold at last year’s World Single Distances Championships
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REUTERS
His re-run produced a time of 1:08.46 seconds, nearly a full second slower than his first effort.
This meant his original time remained his official result, though this offered little comfort to the world champion.
Had Wennemars been able to match his personal best form from Calgary, he would have been in contention for silver behind the eventual winner.
American Jordan Stolz claimed the gold medal with a stunning Olympic record time of 1:06.28 seconds.
Joep Wennemars frustration was evident at the finish line
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REUTERS
Wennemars’ fellow Dutchman Jenning De Boo secured silver, while China’s Ning Zhongyan took bronze.
The Netherlands boasts an impressive history in the sport, having collected twelve medals at the Beijing Games four years ago, six of them gold.
The Dutch delegation has already tasted success at these Games through Jutta Leerdam, who captured gold in the women’s 1,000 metres while setting a new Olympic record.
Her fiancé, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, was spotted in tears watching from the stands during her victory.
