THE HAGUE – Dutch three-time Olympic speed skating champion Irene Schouten announced her retirement from the sport on Feb 19, saying that she was “entering a new phase of her life”.

The 31-year-old confirmed she was ending a successful 15-year skating career after winning three gold medals at the World Speed Skating Championships in Calgary, Canada over the weekend.

“My top sport career is ending. It is just done,” Schouten told the NOS public broadcaster.

“I really notice that I am ready for a new phase of life.

“Deep in my heart I long for other things. I no longer dream of another Olympic Games and that is why I have decided to say goodbye after this season.”

In an Instagram post, she also suggested she had no regrets stepping away despite being at the peak of her career.

“I have achieved what I wanted,” the post read in Dutch, according to a translation.

“After the (2022) Olympic year, I realised that it would be difficult to commit directly to a new four-year Olympic cycle.

“This past weekend showed me that I’m in top form and still enjoy the games. Feeling strong and skated last few days even my fastest laps ever.

“But I also realise that there is a life next to the top sport. I’m really looking forward to that too.” 

The Dutchwoman made her breakthrough in 2009-2010, when she won junior World Cup races in the 3,000m event.

She collected three golds at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, winning the 3,000m, 5,000m and mass start events.

Schouten also won two Olympic bronze medals – one in Pyeongchang in 2018 and one in 2022, both in the team pursuit events.

On her retirement, she added that she felt her personal life was beginning to suffer at the expense of her sport.

“I can no longer fully enjoy things besides skating,” she explained.

“When I’m with friends, I have to make sure I go to bed on time or I can’t just visit someone without the chance of getting sick.”

Schouten also thanked her coaches Arjan Samplonius and Jillert Anema, her private backers, and the longtime corporate support she received from Albert Heijn Zaanlander.

“And of course all the skating fans in the Netherlands who supported me,” she added. AFP