Netherlands finishes sixth place in Winter Games

The Netherlands finished sixth in the medal count at the Olympics, one place lower than at the previous two Winter Games in Sochi (2014) and Pyeongchang (2018). TeamNL collected 17 medals in China in the past two weeks: eight gold, five silver and four bronze.

Six of the Netherlands’ eight gold medals were won by women, making it the best performing country for women at the Winter Games. Speed skater Irene Schouten won three Olympic titles, while Ireen Wüst took the sixth gold medal in her skating career. 

Dutch women also took silver twice and bronze four times. The men won two gold medals in Beijing –– Kjeld Nuis in the 1500 meters and Thomas Krol in the 1000 meters –– and three silver medals.

Eight years ago in Sochi, the Dutch sports team experienced its most successful Winter Games ever, with 24 medals: eight gold, seven silver and nine bronze. Four years ago in Pyeongchang, the counter came to 20 medals: eight gold, six silver and six bronze.

As in the previous Winter Games, Norway was the most successful. The country set a record with 16 gold medals. The Norwegians also won eight silver and 13 bronze medals. Germany finished second, as it also did in South Korea in 2018. 

China came in third place in the final standings, just above the United States. The Russian sports team achieved the most medals after Norway, 32. However, it lagged behind other countries, because of fewer gold medals.

Italy, which will host the Winter Games in four years, finished 13th, with two gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals. Canada, still number three in the final standings four years ago, now disappointed with 11th place.

The closing ceremony can be viewed at 1 p.m. on NPO1.