Femke Kok

Club / Team

Team Reggeborgh: Netherlands

Hobbies	Socialising with family and friends, boating, cooking, shopping, travel. (orangegas.nl, 01 Jan 2021; schaatsteamreggeborgh.nl, 14 Feb 2020)
Awards and honours	She has received the Egbert van 't Oever Encouragement Prize on two occasions. The prize is given to the most promising young Dutch speed skater. (schaatsen.nl, 01 Feb 2020)

Name of coach

Gerard van Velde [club], NED; Dennis van der Gun [club], NED

Sporting philosophy / motto

"Try to stay as calm as possible." (trouw.nl, 01 Nov 2020)

www.facebook.com/Femke-Kok-103441084854690
twitter.com/KokFemke

Famous relatives

Her father skated in A Division marathons in the Netherlands, while her mother competed in speed skating at club level. (spelersvrouw.nl, 08 Jun 2021; omropfryslan.nl, 18 Jan 2021)

Reason for choosing this sport	"I used to go skating with my parents back in the days when there were still cold winters. I used to do gymnastics alongside speed skating as a kid. Therefore I was very agile and I think that helps a lot in learning technique. My father also guided me a lot. I've been working on my technique since I was a little kid. My father even adjusted my skates to help me learn to lean over my right leg when putting the skate on the ice."
When and where did you begin this sport?	She began skating at age two. At about age seven or eight she joined the De Kluners speed skating club in Drachten, Netherlands.

Other information	PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP She sought the help of a sports psychologist early in her career. "I never won anything as a kid, I was always so nervous. In training I could skate way faster than in the races. It got worse and worse, even to a point that I loathed racing, while I loved speed skating. I put way too much pressure on myself. When I was [age] 15, I even visited a sports psychologist. With the help of the sports psychologist I changed my mindset and from then on, I could cope with the nerves way better. Of course I'm still nervous at the start, but it doesn't affect my racing so much anymore." (isu.org, 06 Feb 2021) IMPROVING ON 1000m After winning a gold in the 500m at the 2023 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands, she expects to improve her performances in the 1000m. "I haven't mastered it. Sometimes I drive a good one, sometimes a very bad one. The big goal for the coming season [2023/24] is that 1000m. The 500m remains the most fun distance, but I would like to become a more complete sprinter. If I could become all-round champion among the juniors, why can't I ride a decent 1000m now?" (schaatsen.nl, 16 Aug 2023)
Injuries	A groin injury meant her training was disrupted ahead of the 2021 National Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. She went on to place second in the 500m at the tournament. (nu.nl, 30 Oct 2021)
Ambitions	To win a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (orangegas.nl, 01 Jan 2021)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs	"Before a match I still like to be myself, to have a chat with everyone and to have fun. But once I'm on the ice, I do everything I can to win. And turn into a racing machine? I hope so, that's the goal every time." (nu.nl, 28 Oct 2021)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning gold in the 500m at the 2023 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (volkskrant.nl, 03 Mar 2023)
Milestones	She became the first female speed skater representing the Netherlands to win the 500m at the world single distances championships when she finished in first place at the 2023 edition of the tournament in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (SportsDeskOnline, 04 Nov 2023; volkskrant.nl, 03 Mar 2023)