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Groothuis earns Dutch fourth speedskating gold

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The Netherlands won a fourth gold in five speedskating events at the Sochi Olympics on Wednesday when former world champion Stefan Groothuis claimed the men's 1000m title.

The 32-year-old beat Canada's Denny Morrison into second place with Dutchman Michel Mulder, who won the 500m gold on Monday, in third place.

America's Shani Davis, seeking a third consecutive gold in the event, was a disappointing eighth.

Davis, 31, finished third when Groothuis clinched the 1000m world title in 2012 and had been trying to become the first male speed skater to triumph in a single event at more than two Winter Olympics.

Groothuis clocked 1 min 8.39 seconds with Morrison in 1min 8.43sec and Mulder clocking 1min 8.74sec.

"When I started, I didn't even know what the best time was and when I crossed the finish line, I was really surprised. It was the best time I've ever skated on a low-altitude track," said the champion.

Groothuis grabbed his first Olympic medal after finishing eighth in the 1000m at Turin in 2006 and fourth at Vancouver in 2010.

"It's great, but it's also very strange. The last few days I've been thinking about it and suddenly I am Olympic champion. It's strange but I will get used to it," the gold medallist said.

Sven Kramer had won the opening 5,000m for Holland with Ireen Wust taking the women's 3,000m and Mulder the 500m.

Only Lee Sang-hwa's win in the women's 500m has prevented a Dutch lock-out.

The Netherlands won a fourth gold in five speedskating events at the Sochi Olympics on Wednesday when former world champion Stefan Groothuis claimed the men’s 1000m title.

The 32-year-old beat Canada’s Denny Morrison into second place with Dutchman Michel Mulder, who won the 500m gold on Monday, in third place.

America’s Shani Davis, seeking a third consecutive gold in the event, was a disappointing eighth.

Davis, 31, finished third when Groothuis clinched the 1000m world title in 2012 and had been trying to become the first male speed skater to triumph in a single event at more than two Winter Olympics.

Groothuis clocked 1 min 8.39 seconds with Morrison in 1min 8.43sec and Mulder clocking 1min 8.74sec.

“When I started, I didn’t even know what the best time was and when I crossed the finish line, I was really surprised. It was the best time I’ve ever skated on a low-altitude track,” said the champion.

Groothuis grabbed his first Olympic medal after finishing eighth in the 1000m at Turin in 2006 and fourth at Vancouver in 2010.

“It’s great, but it’s also very strange. The last few days I’ve been thinking about it and suddenly I am Olympic champion. It’s strange but I will get used to it,” the gold medallist said.

Sven Kramer had won the opening 5,000m for Holland with Ireen Wust taking the women’s 3,000m and Mulder the 500m.

Only Lee Sang-hwa’s win in the women’s 500m has prevented a Dutch lock-out.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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