Irene Schouten

Irene Schouten, born on June twenty-first, nineteen ninety-two, is a retired Dutch speed skater renowned for her exceptional achievements in allround marathon and inline-skating events. With a remarkable career that includes five Olympic medals, she has solidified her status as a triple Olympic Champion, triumphing in the 3,000m, 5,000m, and mass start events at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Schouten's prowess on the ice is further highlighted by her Olympic records in both the 3,000m and 5,000m distances, set as of February twelve, twenty twenty-two. Under the guidance of her coach, Jillert Anema, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of speed skating, culminating in her historic performance at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, where she emerged as the most successful Dutch athlete of the event.

Her journey began to gain momentum in March twenty fourteen when she secured third place at the Dutch Allround Championships, earning her a spot at the World Allround Championships in Thialf, Heerenveen. Schouten's Olympic debut in twenty eighteen saw her clinch a bronze medal in the mass start event, setting the stage for her subsequent successes.

In addition to her Olympic accolades, Schouten's achievements are noteworthy on a global scale. By herself, she would have ranked thirteenth in the overall medal standings by country at the 2022 Games, surpassing entire delegations from prominent winter sports nations such as Italy and South Korea. As of her retirement announcement in February twenty twenty-four, she leaves behind a legacy as the current Olympic and Dutch record holder in the 5,000 metres.