Olympic round up: surprise cycling gold but Schippers fails to score

DutchNews, August 14, 2016

Elis Ligtlee celebrates winning the
women’s keirin event. Photo:
Konstantin Chalabov/Sputnik 

There was unexpected success as well as disappointment for the Dutch at the Olympic games in Rio on Saturday with one gold win and two medal hopes dashed.

Cyclist Elis Ligtlee was the surprise winner in the keirin, an indoor cycling race with a mass sprint finish. 

The 22-year-old, who was European champion in 2013 and 2015, had never ended higher than 11th in a world event. ‘Unbelievable, I don’t know what happened,’ she told broadcaster NOS. ‘My legs hurt. I can’t believe it.’ 

But there was disappointment for the Dutch too when sprinter Dafne Schippers failed to win a medal in the 100m. Schippers, who is one of the favourites to take the 200m title, crossed the finish in fifth place in a time of 10.90. 

Physical issues

The gold went to Elaine Thompson of Jamaica, who took the Olympic title over from team mate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pry. Tori Bowie of the US, who was behind Fraser-Pry and Schippers at the world championships last year, was second. 

Schippers said after the race that she had been dealing with ‘some physical problems in the last days’, issues which her coach Bart Bennema said later could have meant the end of the tournament for her. Neither went into further details. 

Swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo also failed to win a medal in the 50m freestyle, despite being one of the favourites. ‘My games have gone wrong,’ she told reporters in tears after the race. ‘I can only blame myself.’ 

The defending champion also failed to make a mark in the 100m.

Related Article:

Olympic round up: Gold for rowing duo, windsurfer