Dutch short track skater Sven Roes returns home after disappearing earlier this summer

Short track speed skater Sven Roes, who disappeared abruptly earlier this summer, has returned to the Netherlands and reunited with his family in good health, the Royal Dutch Skating Association (KNSB) said Monday. The police have not released the details about the circumstances behind the disappearance of the 26-year-old Olympic skater.

Roes returned to the Netherlands on Sunday, July 12, when he “reunited with his family in good health,” the KNSB said in an update issued on behalf of Roes and his family. The family and Roes thanked everyone for their “support, attention, and involvement,” but said they now need rest and privacy. “They assume that this will be respected,” the KNSB stated.

Roes cut off contact at the end of June, prompting his family to report him missing and appeal for information about his whereabouts. Police confirmed they had received a missing person report concerning Roes and were investigating the case.

During the investigation, a car linked to Roes, a Mitsubishi ASX, was discovered abandoned in the P3 long-stay parking lot at Schiphol Airport.

Authorities later made contact with Roes and confirmed that he was safe and doing well. He was confirmed to be alive in an unidentified country.

There was no word on whether the disappearance will affect Roes’ sports career. The KNSB said, “The KNSB considers this to be a private matter.”