1,000 metres, Women

Prior to the race, two skaters were named most likely to win the 1,000 m. Dutchwoman Jutta Leerdam had won the world title in 2020 (and was second in 2021), and with a fifth place in the 500 m had shown good form. Japan’s Miho Takagi had already secured three silver medals (500 m, 1,500 m and team pursuit) and was looking to win her first individual Olympic gold medal. An outsider was Brittany Bowe. Although a three-time world champion in the event (2015, 2019, 2021), and leader in the 2021/22 1,000 m World Cup, Bowe’s performances in the Beijing Olympics had been below expectations.

The first top time of the day was recorded by 1,500 m bronze medalist Antoinette de Jong in pair three, with 1:14.92. This remained unchallenged until Leerdam took the ice against Kimi Goetz in the 11th pair. After a tight crossing with Goetz, Leerdam made a small mishap in the third corner, touching the ice briefly with her hand. Despite this, she recorded the fastest full lap of the field, holding on for a final time of 1:13.83.

Two pairs later, it was Takagi’s turn. After recording the fastest opening of the day (17.60) together with Golikova, she paced her full lap a bit, trailing Leerdam by 0.01 at the bell. But with an excellent final lap, she clearly went into the lead, 1:13.19. Bowe, racing in the last pair, had the same opening as Golikova and Takagi, but lost nearly half a second in the first lap. But Golikova’s final lap had been almost three seconds slower than her first, which was exploited by Bowe, who clocked 1:14.61, a tenth faster than the ROC athlete, to win her first individual Olympic medal, a bronze.