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Tuitert grabs Netherlands' second gold
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-21 14:09
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VANCOUVER: Mark Tuitert edged American hot favourite Shani Davis in the men's 1,500m speed skating here on Saturday, claiming the Netherlands' second gold at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
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 Gold medallist Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands celebrates at the flower ceremony after winning the men's 1500 metres speed skating race at the Richmond Olympic Oval during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics February 20, 2010. [Agencies] |
Dutch's first gold also came from speed skating as Sven Kramer triumphed in the men's 5,000m last Saturday.
"Unbelievable. I can't believe it," said the 29-year-old Tuitert, who finished the race in 1:45.57. "Everything went right. This is the race of my life."
As the third to last pair competing in the race, Tuitert and Norwegian Havard Bokko performed greatly as Bokko chased Tuitert tightly since the beginning and the Norwegian finally finished third, only 0.03 seconds behind Davis.
Davis set the world record in the men's 1,500m last December in one minute and 41.04 seconds. He won the gold at the World Single Distances Championships in 2009 and 2007 and took silver in 2008.
What's more, the 27-year-old American has shown his great shape by defending the 1,000m title here on Wednesday.
Davis, who came onto the ice as one the last pair of competitors, overcame his rival Lucas Makowsky quite comfortably with a lead in 2.51 seconds, but the 1:46.10 result was not good enough for him to beat Tuitert.
"I tried my best and I'm satisfied with my results. It was a silver today, not gold. It was my goal to get a medal today," said Davis.
Tuitert also became the first Dutch speed skater to win the event since Ard Schenk in 1972 and he is the third Dutchman in history to be crowned Olympic champion in this event.
"I worked so hard for this over the last eight years. And then it comes out in such a moment and with so much respect," Tuitert said.
