Jan Ykema

Who is Jan Ykema?

Jan Jelte Ykema is a former ice speed skater from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at two consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. In 1988 he won the silver medal in the men's 500 metres. The same year he won all of his three World Cup races. A year later Ykema retired from international competition to work in real estate business. During his career he won three national sprint titles and three distance titles.

After retiring from skating, Ykema became addicted to cocaine, and this addiction lasted for about 15 years. After he recovered he started giving lessons at secondary schools about his addiction.

In 2008 he returned to competitive speed skating as assistant coach for the APPM team.

Personal bests:

500 m – 36.76

1000 m – 1:14.24

1500 m – 1:59.11

5000 m – 8:23.1

10000 m – 16:27.3