Print the Biography/Short

Jan Smeekens

Netherlands

SportSpeed Skating
FederationIDSSNED11102198701
NOCNetherlands
Born11 Feb 1987 in  Zwolle
GenderMen
ResidenceRaalte, NED
Higher educationBusiness - Open University: Netherlands
LanguagesDutch, English, German, Spanish
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 34.32 19 Jan 2013 Calgary  
    1000m 1:08.89 16 Mar 2007 Calgary  
    1500m 1:48.44 15 Mar 2007 Calgary  
    5000m 7:23.36 05 Feb 2005 Assen  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
Olympic Games
Event  
Olympic Games
    2 x 500m   1    
World Single Distances Championships
Event  
World Single Distances Championships
    2 x 500m     2  
    500m 1      
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He began skating at age 10 on the canals and lakes in the neighbourhood of Raalte, Netherlands.  
General Interest
General Interest
InjuriesHe began experiencing recurring problems with his back in 2014. (nrc.nl, 10 Feb 2017)

He has had issues with the tendons in his groin during his career. (Athlete, 04 Dec 2011)
 
Memorable sporting achievementWinning gold in the 500m at the 2017 World Single Distances Championships in Gangneung, Republic of Korea. (schaatsen.nl, 16 Oct 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sport"It's beautiful to watch. I like the combination of the individual parts of the sport and its aesthetics."  
General Interest
General Interest
Hero / IdolDutch speed skater Stefan Groothuis. (Athlete, 17 Nov 2012)  
Most influential person in careerHis parents. (Athlete, 17 Nov 2012)  
Sporting philosophy / motto"Dare to lose." (Athlete, 27 Jan 2017)  
Social Media
Social Media
twitter.com/jansmeekens  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationRETIREMENT
He announced his retirement from competitive speed skating in March 2020. "I notice that my body is running out. To be honest, I didn't run a race without pain this season. In the last week the feeling of stopping has started to grow more and more. I didn't make the decision overnight and it was well considered. It has been a week with many rational thoughts of pluses and minuses, but I came to the conclusion that it has been beautiful. These feelings played an important role in my decision." (ad.nl, 06 Mar 2020)

OLYMPIC BLUES
When he crossed the line in the final of the 500m at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, his time appeared to put him in first place. However, it was later downgraded by four hundredths of a second and Smeekens had to settle for silver behind Dutch teammate Michel Mulder. He was also a medal contender for the 500m four years later in Pyeongchang, but a painful crash during his last practice session a day before the race affected his performance and he eventually placed 10th. "I wanted to finish on the podium, but I knew that a miracle was needed. I also know that I do have it in me, but unfortunately it did not come true [in Pyeongchang], the disappointment is really big." (nu.nl, 19 Feb 2018; telegraaf.nl, 10 Feb 2014)
 
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/Jan-Smeekens-1445198092225288/  
General Interest
General Interest
Awards and honoursHe was flag bearer for the Netherlands at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (nu.nl, 02 Feb 2018)  
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs"Often I stop listening to music for an hour before competing so my full focus is on my performance." (schaatsen.nl, 08 Feb 2018)  
MilestonesHe became the first Dutch speed skater, male or female, to win gold in the 500m at the world championships when he claimed victory in the event at the 2017 World Single Distances Championships in Gangneung, Republic of Korea. (SportsDeskOnline, 25 Oct 2017; schaatsen.nl, 16 Oct 2017)  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships 500m1  
    2014 Olympic Games 2 x 500m2  
    2010/2011 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m3  
    2012/2013 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m3  
    2019/2020 European Single Distances Championships 500m5  
    2010 Olympic Games 2 x 500m6  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 500m10  
    2018 Olympic Games 500m10  
    2019/2020 World Single Distances Championships 500m12  
    2008/2009 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m13  
    2006/2007 World Single Distances Championships 500m13  
    2010/2011 World Sprint Championships Overall13  
    2011/2012 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m14  
    2015/2016 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m15  
    2007/2008 World Single Distances Championships 2 x 500m16  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 500m1  
    2006/2007 Heerenveen 100m1  
    2007/2008 Erfurt 100m1  
    2016/2017 Stavanger Team Sprint1  
    2017/2018 Minsk 500m1  
    2011/2012 Astana 500m1  
    2009/2010 Heerenveen 500m1  
    2009/2010 Heerenveen 500m1  
    2009/2010 Erfurt 500m1  
    2014/2015 Obihiro 500m1  
    2010/2011 Moscow 500m1  
    2013/2014 Inzell 500m1  
    2012/2013 Erfurt 500m1  
    2012/2013 Harbin 500m1  
    2012/2013 Calgary, AB 500m1  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 500m1  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 500m1  
    2013/2014 Heerenveen 500m1  
    2009/2010 Erfurt 500m1  
    2012/2013 Erfurt 500m1  
    2012/2013 Calgary, AB 500m1  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification Overall2  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 500m2  
    2007/2008 Erfurt 100m2  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 100m2  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 100m2  
    2017/2018 Minsk 500m2  
    2017/2018 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2016/2017 Nagano 500m2  
    2017/2018 Erfurt 500m2  
    2010/2011 Changchun 500m2  
    2013/2014 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2010/2011 Berlin 500m2  
    2009/2010 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2011/2012 Salt Lake City, UT 500m2  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 500m2  
    2014/2015 Obihiro 500m2  
    2011/2012 Chelyabinsk 500m2  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 500m3  
    2008/2009 Kolomna 100m3  
    2018/2019 Tomakomai 500m3  
    2016/2017 Stavanger 500m3  
    2014/2015 Heerenveen 500m3  
    2016/2017 Berlin 500m3  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen 500m3  
    2012/2013 Nagano 500m3  
    2008/2009 Erfurt 500m3  
    2011/2012 Berlin 500m3  
    2012/2013 Harbin 500m3  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m4  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 500m4  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m5  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 100m5  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 500m5  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m8  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 100m8  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 500m11  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 500m11  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 100m12  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 500m12  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification Overall14  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification Overall14  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 500m17  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification Overall20  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification Overall20  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 500m21  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 500m25  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification Overall27  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 500m39  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 1000m62