Dutch speed skating champions Suzanne Schulting and Joep Wennemars have opened up about the challenges of maintaining a romantic relationship while competing at the highest level.
In an interview published by LINDA.
magazine on June 10, 2026, the couple discussed how their shared lifestyle as top athletes provides a mutual understanding that anchors them during competitive turmoil.
Post-Olympic Recovery and Mutual Support
Both skaters faced severe disappointments during the recent Winter Games.
Wennemars was hindered by an opponent during a lane exchange, while Schulting suffered a crash, leaving both without medals.
Following the competition, the pair took a one-month vacation to process the emotional toll. Wennemars explained that he has largely processed the disappointment without forcing deep self-reflection.
"I'm actually okay again.
People might expect that we talk or think about it a lot during a vacation to give it a place, but then it becomes a bit forced.
I haven't thought about it that much, strangely enough, so it must have landed somewhere," Wennemars said.
He added that having a partner who shares the same daily routine and living space made communicating through the difficult athletic period much simpler.
"I think it's a big advantage that we could do this together, that I didn't have to overcome a high threshold to vent to other people.
It's simpler when your loved one sleeps one room away," he said.
Schulting emphasized the value of their connection, highlighting that she prioritized supporting Wennemars through his intense Olympic disappointment before her own short track races began.
"If something is wrong, it gets discussed. Nothing is bottled up," Schulting said.
She also reflected on the emotional isolation athletes often face during competitive defeats, asserting that only a partner and family remain truly vital during those low points.
"Especially when it's not going well. Because when you win, you have friends, but when you lose, there aren't many people around you.
The only ones who matter then are your loved one and your family," she said.
Future Plans: Family Before Marriage
Discussing their future plans, Wennemars indicated that practical milestones like starting a family take precedence over marriage ceremonies.
"I'd rather first focus on the question of whether we are going to have children. That marriage comes later," he said.
Schulting explained that a wedding band is not a requirement for her to feel secure about the longevity of their relationship.
"Nice, a ring on my finger, but I know even without a wedding that it's good," she said.
The couple currently lives together, having moved in quickly because keeping two separate homes felt impractical given their identical training and travel schedules.
