The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing were, dare I say, an absolute goldmine for the Netherlands! We didn't just participate; we practically owned the ice, especially the speed skating oval. With a sparkling total of 17 medals, including a dazzling 8 golds, the Dutch delegation managed to snag an impressive sixth place in the overall medal count. That's right, sixth! Not bad for a country that's mostly flat and known for its windmills, not mountains. Most of this frosty glory, as is tradition, came from our lightning-fast skaters, both long-track and short-track. So, let's lace up our virtual skates and glide back to celebrate our golden heroes of 2022, and then squint through the snow to see if they'll be bringing their A-game to the 2026 Games.
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The Ice Queen of Beijing: Irene "The Gold Standard" Schouten
If the 2022 Olympics had a reigning monarch, it was undoubtedly Irene Schouten. She didn't just skate; she practically glided to victory with an almost unfair dominance on the long-track. Irene was so good, she probably thought the other competitors were just there to cheer her on. She scooped up a magnificent three gold medals, making her the envy of every magpie and leprechaun around:
- 3000 meters (She probably did it so fast, the timer barely registered it)
- 5000 meters (Because why stop at three K when you can go for five?)
- Mass Start (Where she proved she's not just fast, she's also strategically brilliant... or just really, really fast)
As if three golds weren't enough to fill her suitcase, she also bagged a bronze in the team pursuit. Her performance made her the undisputed, most successful Dutch athlete of those Games. We're pretty sure she had to pay extra for luggage.
Will She Return in 2026?
Alas, dear fans, prepare for a collective sigh. Irene Schouten, like a true champion, decided to retire at the peak of her powers. She hung up her skates faster than you can say "hup Holland hup." So, while we'll miss her blazing speed, she won't be gracing the ice in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026 to defend her titles. She's probably off somewhere enjoying a well-deserved stroopwafel.
Shorttrack Superstar: Suzanne "The Whirlwind" Schulting
Over on the shorttrack, Suzanne Schulting was less a skater and more a human blur. She solidified her status as a global powerhouse by snatching gold in the 1000 meters. She was so quick, we're still not sure if she actually touched the ice the entire time. But wait, there's more! She also spearheaded the Dutch women's team to a historic gold medal in the 3000 meter relay. It was a masterclass in teamwork, speed, and probably a little bit of magic. And because she apparently has limitless energy, she also grabbed a silver in the 500 meters (proving her short track skills extend to... well, shorter short track) and a bronze in the 1500 meters. Talk about an all-rounder!
Will She Return in 2026?
Yes, folks, you can breathe a sigh of relief! It's highly probable we'll see Schulting tearing up the ice again in 2026. Despite a few bumps and bruises (because even superheroes get boo-boos), she remains fiercely determined to defend her titles and add even more bling to her already impressive collection. She's probably already started practicing her victory dance.
Legends of the Ice: Ireen Wüst and Kjeld Nuis
Beijing 2022 also bore witness to historic gold for the one and only Ireen Wüst. She blazed to victory in the 1500 meters, making her the first athlete ever to win an individual gold medal at five consecutive Winter Olympics. Let that sink in. Five. Consecutive. Olympics. She's practically an Olympic institution! Meanwhile, on the men's side, Kjeld Nuis successfully defended his Olympic title in the 1500 meters, proving he's still the undisputed king of the skating mile. And let's not forget Thomas Krol, who snatched the top spot on the podium in the 1000 meters. We had so much gold, we almost needed a vault!
Will We See Them in 2026?
Ireen Wüst has, with great fanfare and a shower of well-deserved applause, officially retired from the sport. She's probably enjoying her well-earned rest and polishing her mountain of medals. Kjeld Nuis and Thomas Krol are still active, though the younger generation is nipping at their heels like a pack of hungry wolves (on skates). For Nuis, the goal is to make one last glorious appearance in 2026. We're rooting for him!
How to Catch the 2026 Winter Olympics Online (Without Needing a Passport for Your Internet)
Even though 2022 feels like a lifetime ago (especially with all that gold still glinting), we're already buzzing with excitement for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Do you want to ensure you don't miss a single moment of the inevitable Dutch gold rush, even if you're sipping a piña colada on a beach somewhere? The NOS and NPO will, as always, be broadcasting the Games live with that wonderfully familiar Dutch commentary.
Now, due to the pesky thing called broadcasting rights (which are about as fun as a cold shower), these streams are often geo-blocked outside of the Netherlands. But fear not, intrepid fan! There's a simple trick to bypass this digital border patrol. For detailed instructions on how to stream the Winter Olympics via the NOS and NPO from anywhere in the world, just point your browser here:
With a trusty VPN connection, you won't miss a single glorious stride of our Dutch skaters, no matter where your global adventures take you. Happy watching (and cheering)!