Paulien van Deutekom competes in the Ladies 3000m during the ISU Single Distances Speed Skating Championships 2008 in Nagano (JPN). ©Getty Images
On January 2, 2019 Dutch Speed Skater Paulien van Deutekom passed away following a six-month battle against cancer. "It is with shock and sadness that we learned of Paulien’s passing” said the ISU President Mr Jan Dijkema.
Van Deutekom was only 37 at the time of her passing, leaving behind her husband and one-year old daughter. “It is a real tragedy when a young life is cut short” declared Mr. Dijkema “Paulien had a great skating career with winning the 2008 ISU World Allround Speed Skating Championships as one of the highlights. She was respected and liked by all.”
Paulien van Deutekom celebrates on the podium during the award ceremony of the ISU World Allround Speed Skating Championships in Berlin (GER). ©AFP
Not only was she an Allround Champion, she was awarded the Ard Schenk Award for best Dutch female Speed Skater of 2008. As part of her impressive career she also won a gold medal at the ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in the Team Pursuit, silver in the 1500m and 3000m events and won a silver medal a the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in 2008.
Paulien van Deutekom and Sven Kramer are awarded best Dutch Speed Skaters of 2008 in Hilversum (NED). ©AFP
The ISU Athlete Commission also pays tribute to their friend Paulien van Deutekom and together with the ISU extend their most sincere condolences to her family and friends. Paulien van Deutekom will be remembered with affection.