Gerard Kemkers

Gerard Kemkers (born 8 March 1967) is a former speed skater from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. There he won the bronze medal in the 5000 metres.[1]

Gerard Kemkers

Personal information
Nationality	Dutch
Born	(1967-03-08) 8 March 1967 Groningen, Netherlands
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	71 kg (157 lb)
Sport
Country	Netherlands
Sport	Speed skating
Turned pro	1985
Retired	1990
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	500 m: 38.30 (1988) 1000 m: 1:15.85 (1990) 1500 m: 1:56.13 (1990) 5000 m: 6:45.92 (1988) 10 000 m: 14:03.90 (1988)
Medal record Men's speed skating Representing the  Netherlands Olympic Games 1988 Calgary 5,000 m World Championships 1989 Oslo Allround European Championships 1988 The Hague Allround 1989 Gothenburg Allround

Kemkers retired from international competition in 1990 and became a coach.[1]

During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, he coached Ireen Wüst to two medals: 3000 m gold and 1500 m bronze, and Sven Kramer to a silver medal on the 5000 m.[1]

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver he coached Sven Kramer to the gold medal at the 5000 m and Ireen Wüst to the gold medal on the 1500 m. During Kramer's 10 km race, Kemkers made a mistake and guided Kramer to the wrong lane. Kramer finished first, with a time of 12:54.50 (even though he skated an extra lap in the outer lane) but was disqualified for failing to change lanes. As a result, Lee Seung-hoon won gold with a new Olympic record, 12:58.55. Kramer later said, "At the end of the day, it is my responsibility. I am the skater on the ice, I have to do it".[2]