Marianne Timmer

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameMaria Aaltje "Marianne"•Timmer
Used nameMarianne•Timmer
Born3 October 1974 in Sappemeer, Groningen (NED)
Measurements174 cm / 63 kg
AffiliationsIJsclub Borgercompagnie/Postcode Loterij Schaatsploeg
NOC Netherlands
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

After narrowly missing qualification for the 1994 Olympics, Marianne Timmer had her international breakthrough in 1997, winning the 1000 m world title in tough outdoor conditions and aided by the advantage of the new clapskate. With all skaters using the new material at the 1998 Olympics, she was not a top favourite in Nagano. To everybody’s surprise — including her own — she broke the World Record in the 1500 m to win the gold, and took a second title in the 1000 meter. The Nagano rink proved lucky for Timmer, as it is also the site of her only World Sprint title. Eight years after her success, Timmer was considered an outsider for a medal in the 1000 m. Motivated by a disqualification in the 500 m (due to a disputed false start), Timmer narrowly beat pre-race favorites Cindy Klassen and Anni Friesinger. Aiming for a fourth Olympics, her career appeared finished when she suffered a severe heel injury due to an opponent’s fall in late 2009.

Timmer was briefly married to her 1998 coach, 1976 Olympic champion Peter Mueller. She is presently married to Henk Timmer, a football goalkeeper for the Dutch national team.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.86 (2008); 1000 – 1:14.45 (2002); 1500 – 1:57.58 (1998); 3000 – 4:15.76 (2002); 5000 – 7:53.32 (1994).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1998 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Marianne Timmer
500 metres, Women (Olympic) 6
1,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
2002 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Marianne Timmer
500 metres, Women (Olympic) 8
1,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 4
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 21
2006 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Marianne Timmer
500 metres, Women (Olympic) DQ
1,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 14

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1998 Winter Olympics 13 – 14 February 1998 Speed Skating (Skating) 500 metres, Women (2 races) Final Standings 78.15 6
1998 Winter Olympics 16 February 1998 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,500 metres, Women Final Standings 1:57.58 WR 1
1998 Winter Olympics 19 February 1998 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,000 metres, Women Final Standings 1:16.51 1
2002 Winter Olympics 13 – 14 February 2002 Speed Skating (Skating) 500 metres, Women (2 races) Final Standings 76.17 8
2002 Winter Olympics 17 February 2002 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,000 metres, Women Final Standings 1:14.45 4

Olympic family relations

Special Notes