Paulien van Deutekom

Long a talented regional skater, Paulien van Deutekom had her breakthrough in the autumn of 2005, qualifying for the Dutch World Cup team through a national 1,500 m record. This eventually led to an Olympic participation in Torino (13th in 1,500 m) and a pro team contract at the end of the season. Training with fellow Dutch top skaters Ireen Wüst and Renate Groenewold, Van Deutekom won her first international medal in the team pursuit at the 2007 worlds. She experienced her greatest season in 2008. After a silver medal at the European championships, she beat Wüst to the all-round World title in Berlin. She closed out the season with a team pursuit gold at the Single Distance Worlds, along with two silvers (1,500 m and 3,000 m). These results also earned her a nomination for Dutch athlete of the year. Combating fatigue the following season, Van Deutekom had to take a break from skating. Unable to return to her former level, she retired in 2012, having won a total of three World Cup races (one individual) and winning the 2007 team pursuit World Cup. She also won four Dutch distance titles (1,000 m and 1,500 m in 2008-09). After her retirement she remained active in sports, among others as a television analyst and for an organization promoting top sports in Amsterdam. After suffering from lung cancer for 6 months, Van Deutekom passed away at the age of 37.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.40 (2008); 1000 – 1:15.70 (2007); 1500 – 1:54.44 (2007); 3000 – 3:59.18 (2007); 5000 – 7:02.40 (2008); 10000 – 15:43.17 (2001).