Femke Kok

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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 skated on natural ice as a child. At about age seven or eight she joined the De Kluners speed skating club in Drachten, Netherlands.
Name of coach	Gerard van Velde [club], NED
Club / Team	Team Reggeborgh: Netherlands

Hobbies	Socialising with friends, spending time on boats. (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)
Famous relatives	Her father skated in A Division marathons in the Netherlands. Her mother competed in speed skating at club level. (isu.org, 06 Feb 2021)
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)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Try to stay as calm as possible." (trouw.nl, 01 Nov 2020)