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PEKING/STOCKHOLM. The Netherlands tries to influence the ice in the skating oval during the Olympics.
Now Nils van der Poel goes on the attack.
– This is corruption. The biggest scandal in our sport, he says.
The Dutch skating federation itself writes on its website that it has a lobbyist on site at the stadium to influence the ice during the Olympics.
In the article, Sander van Ginkel says that the Dutch skaters benefit from the hardest ice possible – which he has tried to achieve by measuring the temperature of the ice himself and influencing the ice managers.
– I try to arrange the most favourable conditions possible for our skaters,” he says in the article.
“The biggest scandal”
When Nils van der Poel is asked about the article at today’s press conference, he goes on the attack against the Dutch federation.
– First I want to say that I have the utmost respect for the Dutch skaters and I have the utmost confidence in the ice makers in the oval. But we have to discuss fair play in our sport and this is far from fair play for me. This is corruption,” he says and continues:
– This is trying to influence things in your favour by using unethical and immoral methods. I can’t understand why the Dutch skating federation can let this happen and I don’t understand why they want the world to know it’s happening. It is embarrassing, not only for the Dutch federation, but also for the Dutch skaters. This is the biggest scandal in our sport. We have had our doping cases and I don’t see that this is any less serious.
“Acting reprehensibly”
Nils van der Poel says he wants to see consequences after the Dutch action. To Sportbladet, the gold medalist says that Sweden has raised the issue.
– We have had a discussion internally within the staff if it is reasonable and where the limit is and what the next step can be. Should we start lobbying the referee and so on? We brought it up and I’m glad it came up on the table. It’s a moral position and it’s important that we agree on what is fair play,” he says and continues:
– I think the Dutch federation is acting reprehensibly on this issue.
Nils van der Poel competes in the Olympics again on Friday when the men’s 10,000 metres are decided
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He should think twice before making such accusations. Someone has been wrongly quoted by an incompetent journalist. Does he really think that a Dutch official admits corruption this openly? Harder ice would benefit heavier speed skaters. He, vd Poel, weighs 82 kg and his direct competitors Patrick Roest and Jorrit Bergsma both weigh under 80 kg. van de Poel should be banned from the games for disrespect and false accusations. He is a disgrace.