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Bart Swings

Belgium

SportSpeed Skating
FederationIDSSBEL11202199101
NOCBelgium
Born12 Feb 1991 in  Leuven
GenderMen
Higher educationElectronic Engineering - KU Leuven: Belgium
OccupationAthlete, Business Owner, Student
LanguagesDutch, English, French
FamilyPartner Annelyn
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 36.46 07 Nov 2015 Calgary  
    1000m 1:09.28 14 Nov 2015 Calgary  
    1500m 1:42.48 15 Nov 2015 Calgary  
    5000m 6:08.76 03 Dec 2021 Salt Lake City, UT  
    10000m 12:57.31 21 Nov 2015 Salt Lake City, UT  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
Olympic Games
Event  
Olympic Games
    Mass Start 16 Laps 1 1    
World Allround Championships
Event  
World Allround Championships
    Allround     2  
World Single Distances Championships
Event  
World Single Distances Championships
    5000m     1  
    Mass Start 2   1  
European Championships
Event  
European Championships
    Allround   1 2  
European Single Distances Championships
Event  
European Single Distances Championships
    Mass Start 3      
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe initially took up roller speed skating but the sport was not part of the Olympic programme. He therefore made the switch to speed skating on ice in order to pursue his Olympic dream. "You dream of the Olympic Games, the pinnacle for every athlete, but roller speed skating is not an Olympic sport. If it was, I would never have made the switch."  
General Interest
General Interest
Most influential person in careerCoach Jelle Spruyt, and his brother Maarten. (Athlete, 20 Nov 2018)  
Hero / IdolUS speed skater Chad Hedrick, Belgian cyclists Sven Nys and Tom Boonen. (Athlete, 28 Jan 2017; dezondag.be, 06 Nov 2016)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Name of coachErik Bouwman [club], NED; Erwin ten Hove [club], NED; Martin ten Hove [club], NED  
When and where did you begin this sport?He took up roller speed skating at age eight. He began speed skating in 2010 in Germany.  
General Interest
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto"Stay focused on your goal, never quit." (Athlete, 20 Nov 2018)  
Other sportsHe has represented Belgium in roller speed skating. He claimed 40 medals [19 gold, 11 silver, 10 bronze] in total across eight editions of the world championships between 2009 and 2023. (SportsDeskOnline, 11 Oct 2023; dezondag.be, 06 Nov 2016; schaatsen.nl, 10 Apr 2012)  
Famous relativesHis brother Maarten has represented Belgium in roller speed skating and speed skating, winning two gold medals in roller speed skating at the 2014 European Championships in Geisingen, Germany. (demorgen.be, 30 Sep 2013; SportsDeskOnline, 22 Dec 2020)  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/bswings  
twitter.com/bartswings  
General Interest
General Interest
Awards and honoursIn 2018 he was made an Honorary Citizen of Herent, Belgium. In 2021 a sports centre in Herent was named after him. (Facebook page, 27 Jul 2021; schaatsen.nl, 25 Jun 2021; nieuwsblad.be, 13 Apr 2018)

He was flag bearer for Belgium at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (OIS, 25 Feb 2018)

He received the 2014 Flemish Sportjuweel [Flemish Sports Jewel], an award presented annually to an athlete who has delivered a remarkable and exceptional sporting performance. (dezondag.be, 06 Nov 2016)
 
Other informationDOUBLE GAMES GOLD
In 2022 he became the first athlete to claim gold medals at both the Olympic Winter Games and the World Games. He won gold in the mass start at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and later claimed three gold medals in roller speed skating at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, AL, United States of America. The 2022 World Games were originally scheduled to take place in 2021 but were postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "That is indeed unique [winning at both events in the same year]. It's exceptional that both events take place in the same year this year, but it doesn't really matter. It would also be unique otherwise. I am proud that I can continue to do the combination skating-inline skating successfully. Inline skating is my passion I will always love it. I'm very proud to have won Olympic gold in speed skating, which is also a great sport, but my heart still sticks to roller skating." (demorgen.be, 09 Jul 2022; teambelgium.be, 01 Jul 2022)

ROLLER SKATING VS SPEED SKATING
He got into the sport through roller speed skating, which he took up at age eight after receiving roller skates as a Christmas present. He began speed skating after watching the sport on television, but he still feels more comfortable skating on land rather than ice. "Inline skating is my passion. It's the sport I enjoy the most. I find inline skating so much easier, I don't have to even think about it. It's like I was born with inline skates on my feet. In ice skating I really have to focus and think about it, but when I'm doing well I really do enjoy it. The movements and muscle groups are about the same, everything else is different. Inline skating is in the peloton, you only do skating. The attitude is also different. With a time trial of 5km [on the ice] you do not skate against an opponent, but against yourself. It is sometimes said that you regularly find yourself on ice, that's right." (sporza.be, 03 Sep 2023; humo.be, 27 Feb 2023; fokus-online.be, 25 Oct 2019; bigwheelblading.com, 09 Oct 2017)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for master's degrees in civil engineering and electrical engineering. "My father is a civil engineer, just like myself, my brother and one of my sisters. So I come from a very scientific background. My interest has always been in mathematics and science. Languages have never really fascinated me. As a child, Lego was my favorite toy, I liked to build." (schaatsen.nl, 09 Oct 2023; humo.be, 27 Feb 2023; kuleuven.be, 19 Feb 2022; nieuwsblad.be, 13 Feb 2020)

BUSINESS OWNER
He owns a roller speed skating line called Swings On Wings. (schaatsen.nl, 09 Oct 2023; Swings On Wings Instagram profile, 02 Oct 2023)
 
InjuriesHe was out of action for over a month in 2022 due to a groin injury. (Facebook page, 05 May 2022; Instagram profile, 24 Jun 2022; teambelgium.be, 01 Jul 2022)

He was suffering from sickness and a knee inflammation at the start of the 2017/18 season. (isu.org, 10 Dec 2017)
 
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Club / TeamTeam IKO: Heerenveen, NED  
General Interest
General Interest
AmbitionsTo compete at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. (teambelgium.be, 01 Jul 2022)  
MilestonesHe became the first speed skater representing Belgium to claim an Olympic Winter Games gold medal when he took the men's mass start title at the 2022 edition in Beijing. It was the second gold medal for Belgium at the Olympic Winter Games and the first in 74 years. He had become the first Belgian athlete in 20 years to win a medal at the Olympic Winter Games in any sport when he claimed silver in the mass start at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Oct 2018; nieuwsblad.be, 24 Feb 2018)

In 2022 he became the first athlete from any sport to win a gold medal at both the Olympic Winter Games and the World Games. Having previously claimed four gold medals in roller speed skating at the World Games, he took the men's mass start title in ice speed skating at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. He then claimed a further three roller speed skating titles at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, AL, United States of America. (SportsDeskOnline, 10 Nov 2022; The World Games Twitter profile, 27 Sep 2022)

He became the first speed skater representing Belgium to win a gold medal at the world championships by securing the mass start title at the 2023 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (SportsDeskOnline, 11 Oct 2023)
 
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Training Regime"I train three to four hours a day."  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2022/2023 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start1  
    2019/2020 European Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2021/2022 European Single Distances Championships Mass Start1  
    2022 Olympic Games Mass Start1  
    2023/2024 European Single Distances Championships Mass Start1  
    2023/2024 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start1  
    2021/2022 World Allround Championships 1500m1  
    2015/2016 European Championships Allround2  
    2018 Olympic Games Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2012/2013 World Allround Championships 10000m2  
    2021/2022 World Allround Championships 10000m2  
    2013/2014 World Allround Championships 1500m2  
    2021/2022 World Allround Championships Allround3  
    2020/2021 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2016/2017 World Allround Championships 10000m3  
    2014/2015 World Allround Championships 10000m3  
    2022/2023 European Allround Championships Allround3  
    2012/2013 World Allround Championships Allround3  
    2022/2023 World Single Distances Championships 5000m3  
    2012/2013 World Allround Championships 1500m3  
    2014/2015 World Allround Championships 1500m3  
    2023/2024 World Allround Championships 1500m3  
    2012/2013 World Allround Championships 5000m3  
    2016/2017 European Allround Championships Allround3  
    2014/2015 World Allround Championships Allround4  
    2021/2022 European Single Distances Championships 5000m4  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships 1500m4  
    2013/2014 European Championships Allround4  
    2014 Olympic Games 5000m4  
    2017/2018 World Allround Championships Allround5  
    2012/2013 World Single Distances Championships 10000m5  
    2014 Olympic Games 10000m5  
    2023/2024 European Single Distances Championships 5000m5  
    2012/2013 European Championships Allround5  
    2016/2017 World Allround Championships Allround5  
    2013/2014 World Allround Championships Allround5  
    2014/2015 European Championships Allround5  
    2023/2024 World Single Distances Championships Team Pursuit6  
    2020/2021 European Allround Championships Allround6  
    2018 Olympic Games 5000m6  
    2023/2024 World Allround Championships Allround6  
    2012/2013 World Single Distances Championships 5000m6  
    2022/2023 World Single Distances Championships 1500m6  
    2021/2022 European Single Distances Championships 1500m6  
    2018 Olympic Games 1500m6  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships 5000m7  
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships 1500m7  
    2022 Olympic Games 5000m7  
    2020/2021 World Single Distances Championships 1500m7  
    2018 Olympic Games 10000m8  
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps8  
    2020/2021 World Single Distances Championships 5000m8  
    2023/2024 European Single Distances Championships 1500m8  
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships 10000m8  
    2019/2020 European Single Distances Championships 1500m8  
    2023/2024 World Single Distances Championships 5000m8  
    2011/2012 World Allround Championships Allround9  
    2023/2024 World Single Distances Championships 10000m9  
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships 5000m9  
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships 5000m9  
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships 1500m9  
    2019/2020 European Single Distances Championships 5000m10  
    2011/2012 European Championships Allround10  
    2022 Olympic Games 10000m10  
    2019/2020 World Allround Championships Allround10  
    2011/2012 World Single Distances Championships 5000m10  
    2014 Olympic Games 1500m10  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps11  
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps11  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships 10000m11  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 1500m11  
    2018/2019 World Allround Championships Allround12  
    2012/2013 World Single Distances Championships 1500m13  
    2022 Olympic Games 1500m13  
    2019/2020 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps15  
    2019/2020 World Single Distances Championships 5000m15  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 5000m15  
    2011/2012 World Single Distances Championships 1500m16  
    2010/2011 World Single Distances Championships 5000m17  
    2010/2011 European Championships Allround19  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships Mass Start 16 Laps20  
    2015/2016 World Allround Championships Allround23  
    2014 Olympic Games 1000m23  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification Mass Start1  
    2020/2021 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification Mass Start1  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2022/2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki Mass Start1  
    2021/2022 Heerenveen Mass Start1  
    2018/2019 Tomakomai 5000m1  
    2014/2015 Erfurt Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2022/2023 Calgary, AB Mass Start1  
    2015/2016 Calgary, AB Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2021/2022 Salt Lake City, UT Mass Start1  
    2015/2016 Heerenveen Mass Start 16 Laps1  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen Mass Start 20 Laps1  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 1500m1  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification Mass Start 20 Laps2  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification Overall2  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification Overall2  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1500m2  
    2023/2024 Obihiro Mass Start2  
    2021/2022 Calgary, AB Mass Start2  
    2013/2014 Inzell Mass Start 20 Laps2  
    2019/2020 Heerenveen Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2023/2024 Salt Lake City, UT Mass Start2  
    2014/2015 Seoul 10000m2  
    2012/2013 Kolomna 1500m2  
    2021/2022 Heerenveen 5000m2  
    2015/2016 Calgary, AB 1500m2  
    2015/2016 Stavanger 1500m2  
    2020/2021 Heerenveen Mass Start 16 Laps2  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification Mass Start 20 Laps3  
    2019/2020 Nagano Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2020/2021 Heerenveen Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2015/2016 Salt Lake City, UT Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2023/2024 Beijing Mass Start3  
    2023/2024 Stavanger Mass Start3  
    2014/2015 Obihiro Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2017/2018 Salt Lake City, UT Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2016/2017 Nagano Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2014/2015 Erfurt 1500m3  
    2014/2015 Berlin Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2016/2017 Stavanger Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2015/2016 Heerenveen 1500m3  
    2015/2016 Heerenveen 5000m3  
    2022/2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki 5000m3  
    2016/2017 Harbin 1500m3  
    2018/2019 Heerenveen Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2018/2019 Tomakomai Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2014/2015 Hamar Mass Start 16 Laps3  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps4  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 1500m4  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification Overall4  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m4  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification Mass Start5  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 1500m5  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m5  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m6  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1500m6  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m6  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification Overall7  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1500m7  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m7  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m7  
    2020/2021 World Cup Classification 5000m7  
    2020/2021 World Cup Classification 1500m8  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m9  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m10  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification 1500m10  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m10  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m10  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m12  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification 1500m13  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification Mass Start 20 Laps13  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification Overall13  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m16  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification Overall19  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1500m19  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m33  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1000m35  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification Overall40  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1000m47  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1000m52