THE HAGUE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Reigning Olympic champion Thomas Krol on Friday announced his retirement from speed skating with immediate effect and the start of a study to become a pilot.
The 31-year-old Krol experienced the highlight of his career two years ago in Beijing where he became a winter Olympic champion in the 1,000m race.
"That Olympic title was the crown on my career," Krol told national broadcaster NOS. "That's what I dreamed of as a small child. I now say goodbye to something that I did for 20 years. But at the same time it also opens a new door to the next phase in my life."
Krol had also been a world champion in the 1,500m in 2019 and 2021 and a world sprint champion in 2022.
Earlier this week, another Dutch Olympic speed skating champion, Irene Schouten, also announced her retirement at the age of 31. Schouten won the women's 3,000m, 5,000m, and mass start at Beijing 2022. ■
