Doping: Olympic speed skating champion Irene Schouten narrowly avoided 2023 suspension

Dutch speed skater Irene Schouten escaped a suspension for violating doping regulations last year. The three-time Olympic champion had three positive doping tests in a 12-month period, which could have resulted in a two-year suspension.

The third positive test was recorded early in 2023, according to biographer Robbert de Rijk. His book about the skater, Gehard voor goud, was published on Friday, according to NOS.

“With the help of a lawyer, arranged through the Dutch skating association KNSB, the international skating union ISU was convinced that one of Schouten’s mistakes was not her fault,” according to NOS.

The case was subsequently closed. Schouten was not sanctioned as a result of the positive tests.

She won three gold medals during a stunning performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Schouten was victorious in the mass start, the 3,000 meters and the 5,000 meters.

Schouten, now 32 years of age, retired from professional skating in 2023. She is originally from Zwaagdijk-Oost in Noord-Holland.

The KNSB said it supported Schouten at all times in the attempt to avoid a doping suspension. “It is common knowledge that most top athletes experience the reporting and tracking of whereabouts as a burden. Mistakes are almost always due to carelessness or unexpectedly changed (private) circumstances,” said Remy de Wit, the KNSB’s technical director.

“In Irene’s case, too, it involved demonstrable and explainable situations. That is why we supported her in this matter.”