Marijke Groenewoud

www.facebook.com/marijke.groenewoud.9

Reason for choosing this sport	She followed her friends into the sport.
Name of coach	Arjan Samplonius [club], NED; Jillert Anema [club], NED; Rintje Ritsma [national], NED
Club / Team	Team Zaanlander [NED] / Ferwerter IJsclub [NED]:
When and where did you begin this sport?	She began skating at age eight in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

Memorable sporting achievement	Winning the mass start tat the 2021 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Athlete, 13 Feb 2023)
Hobbies	Baking. (Athlete, 13 Feb 2023)
Injuries	In 2020 she underwent an operation on her tonsils to ease throat pain. (schaatsen.nl, 21 Aug 2020) In August 2017 she was diagnosed with Pfeiffer's disease and took four months away from the sport. (schaatsen.nl, 12 Jan 2018)
Other sports	She competed in roller speed skating at the 2018 World Championships in Arnhem, Netherlands. She also competes in marathon skating. (schaatsen.nl, 21 Aug 2020; sportuitslagen.org, 08 Jul 2018; SportsDeskOnline, 16 Nov 2022)
Ambitions	To win an Olympic gold medal. (schaatsen.nl, 30 Jul 2022)
Most influential person in career	Her parents. (Athlete, 13 Feb 2023)
Hero / Idol	Dutch speed skater Elisa Dul. (Athlete, 13 Feb 2023)
Other information	MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES She has competed in speed skating, roller speed skating, and marathon skating. "A lot of people ask me what I like to do the most, but I think the combination is super fun. Long track speed skating is great when it's going well, but when it doesn't work, it's a hard sport. And the tactical game in rollerblading is comparable to marathon skating.'' After a successful speed skating season in 2021/22, which included competing at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, she said she intends to focus on speed skating for the 2022/23 season. "After last year I am often told that I am a long track skater, maybe I should start believing it. I want to continue to perform well in the 1500m this winter [2022/23], taking on the 3000m, plus the mass start and the team pursuit. In addition, I hope, if it can be combined, to skate marathons." (skatenl.nl, 25 Oct 2021; schaatsen.nl, 12 Oct 2022) PREVIOUS OCCUPATION She worked as a part-time baker at LekkerZoet bakery in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, before deciding to focus her attention on speed skating full-time ahead of the 2020/21 season. "Until that time I also worked as a cake baker at a bakery. We made so-called fondant cakes for weddings and children's birthdays. Great work, but I could no longer combine it with top sport.'' (skatenl.nl, 25 Oct 2021; actiefonline.nl, 22 Jan 2020; nos.nl, 21 Nov 2019; omropfryslan.nl, 25 Oct 2018; schaatsen.nl, 12 Jan 2018)