Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 37

LONG TRACK SPEED SKATER
TED-JAN BLOEMEN
What’s your earliest childhood memory? I remember
the canals freezing over in Holland and seeing all the
people skating. It’s been my passion for as long as I can
remember.
What inspired you to take up competitive speed
skating? In Holland, speed skating is always on TV and
everyone follows the careers of the skaters. I remember
watching it with my parents and being inspired. I’ve been
very competitive since I was young.
When did you realize you had the potential to become
a world-class speed skater? When I was 15 or so, and
[then] in high school, each year I was getting better and
better, achieving my goals. I really thought that would just
continue to happen if I stayed focused.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your life? I’ve
lived in so many places and skated on so many teams,
it’s difficult to say there is [just] one influence. But, overall,
I have to say my wife, Marlinde. She brought a whole new
perspective to my skating career and I attribute much of
my recent success to that.
What’s your favourite comfort food and competition
day meal? On race days, I need to get carbs for energy,
so it’s pasta, rice or potatoes. However, my wife and I are
foodies and we love fine dining. There are some great
restaurants in Calgary.
What music do you listen to for relaxation and for
inspiration? Lots of athletes listen to music to get them
in the zone, but I don’t. I have a very specific protocol for
warm-up that works for me. Otherwise, I usually just listen
to the radio and enjoy lots of different music.
What would you consider to be your greatest
accomplishment? Definitely, becoming the Olympic
champion in the 10,000-metre event. It was the
culmination of everything I had worked so hard for. When
you win at the Olympics, you are the best in the world.
It’s the moment everyone is training for; everyone is there
and everyone is at [his or her] best.
What would you consider to be your greatest
disappointment? At the last national championship I
skated in Holland, I had no energy and skated very poorly.
It really was a low point and, honestly, I thought I might
never skate competitively again. The last two years I was
in Holland, I bounced around with different teams and I
just didn’t seem to be able to break through with any big
successes. [This] really led to my decision to go to Canada.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Calgary!
Everything has just come together for me since I arrived
here four years ago. I can’t imagine living anywhere else at
the moment.
Was it a difficult decision to leave the Netherlands and
become a Canadian citizen? It was a big decision, but not
a difficult one. I needed a change and I didn’t want to move
somewhere just to be making the same mistakes. I am a
Canadian now; I’m not a Dutch guy skating for Canada.
What is the biggest difference in the approach to
competitive speed skating between Canada and
Holland? We’re very tight as a national team here in
Canada. We help each other out and get lots of support.
In Holland, there is much greater competition between
teammates and less support.
What is your favourite thing about Canada? Canada is a
beautiful country, but it’s the people that make it for me—
everyone is so positive and so supportive.
What was the worst job you ever had? I’ve never really
had a bad job. I’ve been so focused on skating, I haven’t
had to do many jobs outside of the sport.
Outside of speed skating, what is on your bucket
list? I love car racing. I did a couple of small races back in
Holland and would like to try that again!
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