Jan Ykema

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameJan Jelle•Ykema
Used nameJan•Ykema
Born18 April 1963 in Harlingen, Friesland (NED)
Measurements181 cm / 79 kg
Affiliations?, Harlingen (NED)
NOC Netherlands
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

The best Dutch sprinter of his time, Jan Ykema debuted at the World Championships aged 18. By far his best season came in 1988. He achieved his best ranking in the World Sprint Championships (6th), won all of his three World Cup races that season, and topped it off with an Olympic silver medal. After a very quick start, Ykema set a new National Record of 36.76 to finish second behind Uwe-Jens Mey of East Germany. Having won three Dutch sprint titles (1982, 1987 and 1988) and three Dutch distance titles, Ykema retirted to work in real estate. For nearly 15 years, he then struggled with a cocaine addiction. In 2008, he returned to speed skating as assistant coach of the small Dutch pro team APPM.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.76 (1988); 1000 – 1:14.24 (1988); 1500 – 1:59.11 (1988); 5000 – 8:23.1 (1980); 10000 – 16:27.3 (1982).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Jan Ykema
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 14
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 20
1988 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Jan Ykema
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) DNF

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1988 Winter Olympics 14 February 1988 Speed Skating (Skating) 500 metres, Men Final Standings 36.76 2

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1988 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony NED Jan Ykema