Sven KRAMER

OLYMPIC UPS AND DOWNS
Despite having won nine Olympic medals (four gold), he has had ample opportunities to grow his collection. In his debut at Torino 2006, he won silver in the 5000m, but cost the Dutch team pursuit squad a shot at gold by stepping on a lane marker in the semi-finals. At Vancouver 2010, he won gold in the 5000m but was dramatically disqualified in the 10000m after not switching lanes on lap 17 at his coach's instructions. At PyeongChang 2018, he won his third consecutive 5000m title but hampered by back problems, he failed to defend his gold in the 10000m.

RETIREMENT
After competing at his fifth Olympic Winter Games at Bejing 2022, he plans to retire and take up a management role with Team Jumbo-Visma. "It's likely to be my last speed skating winter. My focus is on the ice at the moment. I have to be at the top of my game, and I hope to finish on a high note at the Winter Olympics. I know what I stand for [working in management]. That is that the sporting matters have to be 100% arranged if you want to perform and I want to master the management. I think I can be of added value in the management team." (isu.org, 2 Nov 2021)

ACADEMY
In August 2020, he set up the Sven Kramer Academy in Thialf. "The call for children, and adults as well, to exercise more is growing. I owe a lot to ice skating and I would like to give something back with this initiative. I want to make my knowledge, experience, and network available to stimulate and motivate the youth to go skating in the coming years. My ultimate dream is that every child has experienced the pleasure of skating at least once before his or her 12th birthday. That's why school skating will also be high on our agenda." (svenkrameracademy.nl, 23 Oct 2020; nltimes.nl, 30 Aug 2020)

AMBASSADOR
Served as an ambassador for 'Spieren voor Spieren' (Muscles for Muscles), a sports charity based in the Netherlands. (Twitter, 13 Jul 2020)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
With nine Olympic medals, he is the most decorated male Dutch Olympian. With four gold medals, he also leads all Dutchmen, alongside Charles Pahud de Mortanges in equestrian.

His nine Olympic medals is also a record among male speed skaters, edging out Class Thunberg (FIN) and Ivar Ballangrud (NOR) who both have seven.

In Beijing, he competes in his fifth Olympic Winter Games, which ties the record for any Dutch winter Olympian. Two men have already participated five times - Rintje Ritsma (NED) and Bob de Jong (NED). Ireen Wust will also reach five participations in Beijing.

Ninth in the 5000m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Leads all skaters with 21 gold medals at the World Single Distances Championships, which is five more than the next skater on the list, Martina Sablikova (CZE). His 26 total medals is also a record among all male skaters.

Surpassed Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann (GER) with his ninth title at the World Allround Championships in 2017 (Hamar). He has also won more medals (12) than any other male skater.