MILAN, Feb 15 (Reuters) – World record holder Femke Kok confirmed her dominance in the women’s 500 meters, winning gold at the Winter Olympics and giving the Netherlands a second speed skating title at the Milano Cortina Games on Sunday.
David J. Phillip via Associated Press
Kok had finished second behind Jutta Leerdam in the 1,000 meters on Monday, but switched places with her compatriot on the podium in the 500 meters.
Miho Takagi, Japan’s most decorated female Olympian, won bronze to take her medal tally to nine across four Games.
Kok, winner of the last three world titles in the 500 meters, completed the distance in an Olympic record of 36.49 seconds and finished 0.66 seconds ahead of Leerdam.
It was the 25-year-old sprint specialist’s first Olympic gold medal during her second Games.
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All eyes were on the 15th and final pair in which Kok, in the outer lane, was pitted against the American defending champion Erin Jackson.
Jackson initially gained a narrow lead, forcing Kok to chase, but the Dutchwoman unleashed a ferocious final surge as a sea of ​​orange-clad supporters in the stands roared her home.
The Dutch now have eight medals in speed skating in Milano Cortina: two gold, five silver and one bronze.
Jackson, who made history four years ago as the first black woman to win Olympic gold in an individual sport, finished fifth.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Milan; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
