In Milan, Kok is the top favorite for the 500 meters, an event where she has claimed the world championship title for the past three years. She is also slated to compete in the 1000 and 1500 meters at the Games. Timmer hopes Kok doesn't view both of these distances merely as bonuses. "If I were Femke Kok, that 1000 meters would also be a main course. The 1500 meters is dessert," the three-time Olympic champion shared on the Sportnieuws.nl 'Dreams of Gold' podcast.

According to Timmer, Kok's explosive start makes her a formidable contender in the 1000 meters: "She masters the 500 like no other, it's her signature distance. But I believe she can also be by far the best in the 1000 meters, because her opening speed is unmatched. She has that first lap in her legs, and in the final lap, she has the resilience to manage some decline and still power through."

'She doesn't need to get flustered'

Timmer identifies Leerdam as Kok's main rival for gold but noted in previous competitions that Kok struggled in direct head-to-head matchups with Leerdam. The former speed skating star believes Kok will benefit from the rule at the Games that prevents compatriots from racing against each other in the same heat.

In the draw, Kok was paired with American Brittany Bowe, who finished third four years ago, for the thirteenth heat. Leerdam will face reigning champion Miho Takagi in the final heat. "For Femke, this is an excellent heat. Better than against Jutta, who is Dutch, so that wouldn't happen anyway. But this is better because it's controllable. In this heat, she doesn't need to get flustered. She skates before Jutta, sets a time, and then Jutta gets to race against Takagi."

Special Support

The 25-year-old Kok is being cheered on in Milan by a large fan club, with many supporters traveling from her hometown of Nij Beets. Timmer believes this only provides extra motivation for the top skater: "It's just wonderful. They've followed your journey, and now you're finally at such a major tournament. Yes, for an entire village to turn out, I experienced that back in my day too. It's truly special that all those people make the effort to come there for you."

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Watch or listen to the episodes of Sportnieuws.nl 'Dreams of Gold' below, where three-time Olympic speed skating champion Marianne Timmer delves daily into the performances of TeamNL during the Winter Games.