Brigt Rykkje

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohan Ingebrigt "Brigt"•Rykkje
Used nameBrigt•Rykkje
Born16 June 1975 in Bergen, Vestland (NOR)
Measurements185 cm / 73 kg
AffiliationsHardanger Skøiteklubb
NOC Norway

Biography

Born in Norway to a Norwegian father and a Dutch mother, Brigt Rykkje moved to the Netherlands at age 5. Skating for his motherland as a junior, a Norwegian club suggested he could make the Norwegian senior team. Rykkje made the switch, and qualified for the World Cup and European championships the next season. A long distance specialist, Rykkje managed the qualification limits for the 5000 and 10000 m at the 1998 Olympics, but to his surprise, he was only picked as substitute. He was allowed to compete in the 1500 m, placing 29th. The following season, Rykkje switched to a commercial team, sharing a win in the first World Cup of the 1998/1999 season, and winning a distance medal at the European Championships. In order to save on travelling time, he then switched back to competing for the Netherlands, but his performance deteriorated, and he rarely competed internationally. In 2003, he started to train on his own (with his brother Bjarne, also a speed skater), and returned to his old level. He achieved his best result in 2007, when he won a bronze medal in the 10000 m at the World Single Distance Championships. Rykkje retired from competitive skating in 2009.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.88 (2001); 1000 – 1:16.20 (2001); 1500 – 1:50.28 (2001); 5000 – 6:22.38 (2007); 10000 – 13:06.03 (2007).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1998 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Brigt Rykkje
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 29

Special Notes