Dutch world champ says Games dream ‘ripped apart’ after collision with Chinese speed skater
Lian Ziwen is disqualified and later apologises over tangle with Joep Wennemars, who says the incident in the 1,000m cost him a medal
Dutch speed skater Joep Wennemars said his Olympic dream had been “ripped apart” after a collision with China’s Lian Ziwen led to a hurried re-skate that he believes cost him a medal in the men’s 1,000m at the Milano Cortina Games on Wednesday.
Wennemars – the 2025 world champion in the 1,000m and son of former sprint world champion Erben Wennemars – tangled with Lian during a lane change in the 11th of 15 pairs, leaving the 23-year-old Dutchman furious. Lian was subsequently disqualified, and Wennemars was granted the chance to skate again.
Backed by a roaring, orange-clad crowd but skating alone, his second skate extended the session by around 15 minutes, forcing podium contenders to wait for their results to be confirmed.
Exhausted from his earlier effort, Wennemars could manage only the fifth-fastest time.
“I am devastated. My Olympic dream has been ripped apart. I am heartbroken – this is just horrible,” Wennemars said.
“I was just racing my own line and then the Chinese guy blocked my road … I do not know what else to say.