Douwe de Vries

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Reason for choosing this sport	He began skating because the sport is popular in the Netherlands.
When and where did you begin this sport?	He began skating outdoors in 1987. He got involved in organised speed skating at age six in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

Hero / Idol	Dutch speed skater Jan Smeekens. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2018)
Other information	RETIREMENT He retired from competitive speed skating in February 2020. "I notice that everything is not as easy as it was before. At a certain moment your career is finished and that point is now. It's been nice. I think I can say that now at the age of 37." (ad.nl, 05 Mar 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES In February 2019 he was elected to the International Skating Union [ISU] Athletes' Commission. (schaatsen.nl, 08 Feb 2019)
Most influential person in career	Dutch speed skater Jan Smeekens. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning gold in team pursuit at the world single distances championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2018)
Other sports	He has competed in marathon skating at national level. (douwedevries.weblog.nl, 17 Jan 2012)
Injuries	Illness meant he was unable to race during the second day of competition at the 2016 European Championships in Minsk, Belarus. (schaatspeloton.nl, 09 Jan 2016) He broke his collarbone in 2010 and 2015. (Athlete, 27 Jan 2017) He suffered from a hernia in 2012. (Athlete, 27 Jan 2017)