Jan Bols

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJan•Bols
Used nameJan•Bols
Born27 August 1944 in Hoogeveen, Drenthe (NED)
Measurements175 cm / 69 kg
Affiliations?, Hoogeveen (NED)
NOC Netherlands

Biography

Initially, Jan Bols skated in the shadow of Dutch stars Ard Schenk and Kees Verkerk. In 1971, he won the Dutch Championships, and was favoured for the European title. He was on his way to a 1st place after the first day, but was disqualified in the 5000 m for forgetting to change lanes. This caused quite a commotion, the Dutch crowd being displeased because Bols actually skated an additional outer curve. Bols’ best season came in 1972, when he placed third in both the European and World Championships. He joined the ill-fated professional skating league in 1973 and 1974, retiring after the league folded. He then set up a sporting goods store in his native Hoogeveen.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.4 (1972); 1000 – 1:20.4 (1971); 1500 – 2:01.60 (1972); 5000 – 7:10.7 (1972); 10000 – 15:10.2 (1972).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1968 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Jan Bols
500 metres, Men (Olympic) DNF
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) =16
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 8
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 13
1972 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Jan Bols
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 8
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4

Special Notes