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.
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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.
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