Spring has just begun and the first skating riot is a reality. Words like “stupid” and “unsustainable” are used. Commercial teams are attacking the skating association KNSB, which wants to ban the top foreign players from the four Dutch teams. It’s a legally non-binding plan.
Back to top: KNSB’s plans are clear, in an email dated March 31 from NOS owner coach Remy de Wit to all the managers and coaches of the Netherlands’ top teams. According to De Wit, “the training system is under pressure” and new conditions are needed from the 2024/2025 season:
– No driver may be active in a senior team that was in the top 8 in the world and/or in the top 4 in Europe in the previous season in long track speed skating and does not have a Dutch passport.
– Riders outside the European Union are completely prohibited from joining top teams.
– If a top team wishes to add non-Dutch drivers according to the above criteria, an additional compensation of 12,500 Euros and a sporting technical certificate is required.
Dutch first, that’s what KNSB sounds like. “We are the Dutch Skating Federation and we want the Netherlands to be as successful as possible at the Olympic Games,” De Wit says in a response. Providing convenience to strangers does not fit this vision.
Belgian swings are no longer desirable?
Bart’s Swings has become an unwelcome hero in the rebellion. The Belgian from the Dutch team IKO is the reigning Olympic champion and the world champion in the collective start. From 2024, according to KNSB conditions, he will no longer be wanted in the Dutch team.
“I find that very narrow-minded,” Swings replies. “I understand that the Netherlands put a lot of money into ice skating, but as a Belgian and as a teammate I think I contributed to that. Foreign skaters also do Dutch better.”
“Skating is a great sport, but it’s especially big in the Netherlands,” continues Swings. “We pass a packed stadium in Thialf, abroad we often see empty stands. I hope KNSB will see that keeping outsiders out is not the best for the sport.”
Coach and co-founder Martin ten Hove says they’re not having fun at Team IKO. “We have reached the agreements outlined in a suitable agreement. KNSB is now adjusting this unilaterally. This is very remarkable.”
“Narrow-minded KNSB”
The glamorous can count on the support of Jos Vaessen, head of Irene Schouten’s Albert Heijn-Zaanlander team. “It is narrow-mindedness that does not fit the Dutch sports world,” says Vaessen about the new conditions of the KNSB.
Only Dutch drivers drive for the Albert Heijn-Zaanlander team. Still, Vaessen believes it is important to take action against the KNSB. “Foreigners also come to improve our young guards. This is an intervention in team politics, so an association needs to soften itself. Teams win medals, not KNSB.”
difficult pronunciation
De Wit heard Vaessen’s words. “I think it’s a pretty tough statement,” he says. “There are often collusions with teams and our motto is ‘steeping together’, so I totally disagree with his position.”
According to De Wit, this has been going on for much longer. “This is already on our table for the Beijing 2022 Games. In the end, we couldn’t come to a consensus and then it was up to me to decide.”
The Albert Heijn-Zaanlander Team and the IKO Team are considering next steps. “I can’t imagine this being allowed within the EU,” Vaessen concludes. At Team IKO, where Marten Liiv from Estonia is also contracted, lawyers are now on duty.
Two other more neutral commercial teams, Reggeborgh and Jumbo-Visma, both have no contract outsiders. Coach Jac Orie said Jumbo-Visma did not comment.
“Conditions that cannot be approved in court”
If we’re to believe the experts, the teams have strong arguments. Sports and law professor Marjan Olfers and sports law expert Dolf Segaar examined KNSB’s e-mail at NOS’s request.
They also conclude that the KNSB’s position on this issue is “unsustainable” and refer to the 1995 Bosman decision on the free movement of workers within the EU. Segaar: “Honestly, I don’t understand how the KNSB got this.” Olfers: “Not necessarily appropriate and proportionate to the purpose.”
A meeting between KNSB and the teams seems necessary to avoid a lawsuit. “I was hoping we would still be sitting at the table,” De Wit replies. “But now they also take a certain stance in the media, which I don’t know if that’s still possible. I’m open to a conversation, but that’s up to him.”
Source: NOS

I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.