The Dutch National team
Imagine that you are alone in a very small gym, and your long workout is coming to a satisfying end. It’s been a good day, and you are distractedly doing your last set of abs, watching CNN’s coverage of the latest international jihadic bloodletting on a TV in the corner.
Just as you are on your last couple of reps, unexpectedly, Tom Brady and the entire offensive line of the New England Patriots wanders into the weight room. The gym is just you and them, and without a word, they begin warming up for their own workout.
Slightly intimidating? You bet! And that was pretty much how I felt when 1000m world record holder/gold medalist Gerard van Velde and several orange clad members of the Dutch men’s national sprint team walked into the Utah Olympic Oval weight room as I was finishing my own workout.
In the words of one of my first coaches, Pat Kelly: “Holland is a land of 16 million people, and 15 million of them speedskate.” These guys are the best of the best of the best, in a nation that obsesses about speedskating, treats them as rock stars, and pays them exceptionally well.
The funny thing was, although I have seen the Dutch race countless times on tape, with the exception of van Velde himself, I could not immediately tell who was who, as I am used to looking at these guys when they are wearing racing skinsuits w/hoods on. I realized I had no idea what their hair looked like/how tall they actually were, and some of them were also sporting the “travel scruff” that men of all cultures seem to adopt when “on the road”. I am sure even many dedicated New England Patriots fans would have problems identifying players without their gear on.
About a dozen world-class speedskaters train daily at the Utah Oval, but with the first world cup race of the Olympic year happening two weeks from now, all of a sudden pretty much EVERY top long track speedskater in the world is going to be here within the next week, the Dutch are some of the first to arrive.
99% of the time I am a competitor, but I am just enough of a fan of this sport to really enjoy the fact that I occasionally have a “behind-the-scenes” view. Jessica tells me to appreciate every moment of this year, I try as best I can.
One of the Dutch mega-studs asked if they could borrow my turncable. Sure, of course! I tried to make small talk, and pretty much failed. So after they were done with the cable & were starting all sorts of exotic looking bounding & jumping exercises, I ceased my gawking, gathered up my stuff and wandered out towards my car, ruminating my self-conscious way through the parking lot streetlights and dimming sky Utah dusk.
Filed under: sweat
I hate to laugh when I first read this, because I am incredibly intimidated by Van Velde’s hugeness, although I have heard he is one of the nicer guys on the “circuit”. Going up and talking to most people wouldn’t make me nervous, but VV and a lot of the other Dutch skaters does. Why is that, I wonder? They’re just people, and the ones I’ve talked to are so nice and more than willing to talk back to you. Plus, SLC is probably the best and easiest venue of all to be able to approach them. They just sit in the stands like they’re at practice. It’s great!!!!
I think the fact that I was surprised by them walking in created a shot of adrenalin that lead to the nerves.. I generally can approach anyone without any butterflies as well, but this was somehow…. different….. I am sure they are really nice guys… VV is huge, and utterly ripped too…
He is the biggest thing I’ve ever seen in person besides Shaq, but I’m pretty sure he’s MUCH smarter. hahaha Old Jer is pretty big, too, but for some reason he doesn’t seem as big. I guess maybe it’s because he isn’t as bulky. But, I definitely think VV is the biggest all around. I won’t even tell you the nickname I have for him. When I let Kip in on that little secret he about died laughing.