Mass Start, Women

A former inline speed skating world champion and marathon skater, Irene Schouten’s favorite event had always been the mass start, having won world titles in 2015 and 2019. After her double gold in the 3 and 5 km, all eyes were on Schouten to make it three golds. However, given the less predictable nature of the event, other names were also expected to do well. This included two-time world champion Ivanie Blondin, inline skating great Francesca Lollobrigida, Korea’s Kim Bo-Reum, as well as Schouten’s teammate Marijke Groenewoud, who had surprisingly claimed the 2021 world title when Schouten was held up in the final sprint.

The semi-finals were rather nervous. In the first, Groenwoud fell, but she was able to return to the group and qualify for the final. That could not be said for defending champion Nana Takagi. After her dramatic fall earlier in the team pursuit, she again fell in the second semi-final.

In the final, the race was fairly compact, but saw Groenewoud fall again and lose contact. With two laps left, an intact pack (save for Groenewoud) started the final sprint. Valérie Maltais increased the speed, hoping to launch her teammate Blondin to victory. At the bell, Schouten had taken the lead, followed by Blondin and Lollobrigida. The Italian briefly lost her balance, leaving Blondin in front going into the final curve. With 50 m to go, Schouten passed the Canadian, crossing the line first, while Lollobrigida was just too late to join the fight for gold and came in third.

By winning her third gold and fourth medal in Beijing, Schouten became the most successful Dutch Winter Olympian ever at a single Games, beating three-time champions Ard Schenk and Yvonne van Gennip.