Louis Hollaar

Club / Team

Team Reggeborgh: Netherlands

Injuries	He struggled with back pain in early 2023. (louishollaar.nl, 09 Sep 2023) He sustained a minor back injury in early 2022. (louishollaar.nl, 20 Sep 2022) He tore a muscle in his groin in October 2019, which kept him out of action for almost a year. (bndestem.nl, 25 Jan 2020; schaatsen.nl, 06 Jul 2022) He sustained a concussion during his final year as a junior skater. (schaatsen.nl, 06 Jul 2022)
Other sports	He has represented the Netherlands in roller speed skating. He competed in the marathon at the 2016 World Championships in Nanjing, People's Republic of China. (SportsDeskOnline, 09 Nov 2021; louishollaar.nl, 01 Sep 2020)
Famous relatives	His brother Matthieu has competed in speed skating at national level in the Netherlands. (talentned.nl, 01 Jan 2020)

Reason for choosing this sport

He was invited to try ice skating by some friends of his parents. He initially combined skating and gymnastics but was forced to choose one sport after the training sessions began to clash. "I really liked it right away. Then there was roller skating in the summers, which I also enjoyed a lot. Competitions followed and gradually it got crazier. There is so much that goes into it. Training hard, the tension before the race, the idea that when it comes down to it you are really on your own."

Hero / Idol	Dutch speed skater Sven Kramer, US speed skater Chad Hedrick. (talentned.nl, 01 Jan 2020)
Ambitions	To win gold in the 1500m at the Olympic Winter Games. (talentned.nl, 01 Jan 2020)

Name of coach

Gerard van Velde [club], NED

louishollaar.nl/
www.facebook.com/louis.hollaar

Hobbies

Spending time with friends, watching football and Formula One. (schaatsteamreggeborgh.nl, 01 Sep 2022)

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began skating at age seven.

Other information

CHANGING CLUBS Following a disappointing 2021/22 season with Team IKO, he left the club to join Team Reggeborgh under coach Gerard van Velde in March 2022. "This season at IKO has been miserable [speaking in 2022]. I must have made mistakes or made wrong decisions myself. Things have not gone well in the team. If you then think that no new step can be taken, look further. In good harmony, by the way. I had a great time with the team. I haven't completely slumped or started skating dramatically badly, but you want to grow every year. I have certainly taken steps at IKO in recent times, I will not forget that. This year it was anything but stable. It should be clear: what I have in me has not come out. Team Worldstream was in contact with me, IKO wanted to keep me. My preference was for Reggeborgh, especially when I noticed that Gerard [van Velde] wanted me to be there." (schaatsen.nl, 15 Mar 2022)