The focus is on speed skating legend Martina Sablikova. Now 38 years old, she is set for her sixth Olympic Games, having first competed in 2006. Her illustrious career includes two Olympic gold medals in the 5000 meters. However, skating icon Timmer, speaking on Sportnieuws.nl's 'Dreams of Gold', doesn't believe a third gold is on the cards this time.
Ill During Winter Olympics
This is due to an unfortunate situation for the Czech athlete. She had to withdraw from the 3000 meters on Saturday due to illness. While her doctors gave her the green light to compete in the 5000 meters, it was clear she 'had never taken so many pills'. She is certainly not in peak condition. Adding to the bitterness: Sablikova is retiring after these Games, and her impressive career now risks ending on a sour note.
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"I honestly don't expect anything from it," Timmer admits. "If you get a bad flu, as a top athlete, you need six weeks to recover." Following her victory in the 3000 meters and Sablikova's illness, Timmer believes Francesca Lollobrigida, along with Ragne Wiklund, are favorites for the podium. The Italian will skate against Sablikova in the final heat, while Wiklund is in the heat before that.
Merel Conijn Secures a Medal
The three-time Olympic champion also anticipates TeamNL's fourth medal thanks to a strong performance from Merel Conijn. Timmer had tipped her as a gold medal contender before the Games. She couldn't pull off a surprise in the 3000 meters. "She skated well. I think the pressure was off after the 3000." For the 5000 meters, her preferred distance, Timmer sees her as a strong contender after the dress rehearsal in the 3km. "She's had time to adjust. Everything was new, now it's not new anymore. She can do her own thing more, start a bit slower and then go like crazy at the end."
And what about Bente Kerkhoff's chances, also from the Team AH-Zaanlander stable, like Conijn? "She also needs a top day to truly excel," concludes the skating legend. We'll know more on Thursday evening. The 5000 meters starts around 4:30 PM, and by approximately 6:00 PM, we'll know who will succeed Irene Schouten.
Watch or listen to the episodes of Sportnieuws.nl's 'Dreams of Gold' below, where three-time Olympic speed skating champion Marianne Timmer daily delves into TeamNL's performances during the Winter Games.