GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — Ted-Jan Bloemen finally broke the Dutch hold on the top step of the podium at the Olympic Oval.
The Canadian speedskater, who was born in the Netherlands but moved to Canada four years ago, won the 10,000 meters Thursday in an Olympic record time.
Defending champion Jorrit Bergsma took and silver and Dutch teammate Sven Kramer again failed to win the one Olympic race he most craves. Missing power and pace, Kramer slumped to sixth, well behind surprise bronze medalist Nicola Tumolero of Italy.
"It just wasn't good enough. I didn't hit it," said Kramer, the 5,000-meter champion at the Pyeongchang Games.