Bart Veldkamp

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameBart•Veldkamp
Used nameBart•Veldkamp
Born22 November 1967 in Den Haag (The Hague), Zuid-Holland (NED)
Measurements181 cm / 84 kg
AffiliationsHardrijdervereniging Den Haag-Westland
NOC Belgium Netherlands
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 2
Total 3

Biography

A long distance specialist, Bart Veldkamp’s did well in the international allround championships of 1990 and 1991, winning the 1990 European title and three bronze medals. A medal hope in Albertville, Veldkamp finished 5th twice before winning the 10000 m. His second Olympic medal came in 1994. Too disappointed with his big loss to Johann Olav Koss, he had already left for the Olympic Village, returning only just in time for the medal ceremony. Facing tough opposition to even qualify for international competition, Veldkamp decided to skate on a Belgian license, starting from 1996. Although less successful than before, Veldkamp continued until after the Torino Olympics. In 1998, he won Belgium’s first Olympic speed skating medal (bronze) and took four medals at the World Single Distance Championships. In 2001, he also did well in the allround competitions, coming very close to a second European title and finishing third in the Worlds.

After retiring, Veldkamp has appeared on television, presenting a show introducing Kenyans to speed skating, and as a skating analyst for Dutch television. He was appointed head coach of the United States speed skating team in 2007, but fired after one season. Veldkamp then worked for the TVM commercial team, and coached native Belgian skater Bart Swings at the Sochi Olympics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.55 (2000); 1000 – 1:12.80 (2006); 1500 – 1:49.00 (2001); 5000 – 6:23.64 (2001); 10000 – 13:27.48 (2003).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Bart Veldkamp
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1994 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Bart Veldkamp
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
1998 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) BEL Bart Veldkamp
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 17
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4
2002 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) BEL Bart Veldkamp
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 8
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 9
2006 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) BEL Bart Veldkamp
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 13
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 14

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1998 Winter Olympics 8 February 1998 Speed Skating (Skating) 5,000 metres, Men Final Standings 6:28.31 WR 3

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1992 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony NED Bart Veldkamp
2006 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony BEL Bart Veldkamp

Special Notes