| Sport: | Speed Skating |
|---|---|
| Birthdate: | November 13, 1976 |
| Birthplace: | Leimuiden, Netherlands |
| Hometown: | Leimuiden, Netherlands |
| Residence: | Leimuiden, Netherlands |
| Ht: / Wt: | 5'11" / 168 lbs |
| Olympics: | 2006, 2002, 1998 |
Defending Olympic champion in the 10,000m... Also a contender in the 5000m... Skating in his fourth Olympics, and took silver in the 10,000m in his debut in Nagano... Has appeared on two reality TV shows in the Netherlands, including Dancing With the Stars... Is a celebrity in the skating-crazed nation... At 33, has no plans to retire after Vancouver... Has a degree in engineering and works part-time for a company that makes bridges.
As the pilot for the USA-1 bobsled, I broke a 62-year gold medal drought when my sled, the 'Night Train" won the Olympic title at the 2010 Vancouver Games. A degenerative eye condition nearly caused me to quit my sport in 2008, but corrective surgery restored my vision to 20-20.
