Femke Kok makes history with Olympic 500m gold in record time

Femke Kok has become the first Dutch female speed skater to win Olympic gold in the 500 meters. The 25-year-old from Friesland claimed victory in the shortest distance at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium in an Olympic record time of 36.49.

Fresh off her gold in the 1,000 meters, Jutta Leerdam secured silver with a time of 37.15. Japan’s Miho Takagi claimed bronze, finishing in 37.27.

With her victory, Kok secured the Netherlands a second long-track speed skating title and a fifth gold medal overall at these Olympics. The Dutch team has also collected three gold medals in short track events so far.

Over the opening 100 meters, Leerdam matched Germany’s Sophie Warmuth stride for stride. After a 10.58 start, she powered through a 26.5 lap to better the benchmark of 37.27 previously posted by Japan’s Miho Takagi. Anna Boersma opened impressively in 10.42, yet a misstep on the closing straight cost her dearly as she clocked 38.01. On her Olympic debut, she ended up fifteenth overall.

Skating in the last pairing against reigning Olympic champion Erin Jackson of the United States, Kok blasted off in 10.18, an even sharper opening than in her 36.09 world record performance. She comfortably outpaced Jackson and finished a remarkable 0.66 seconds clear of second place.