Female Winter Olympian Breaks Michael Phelps Gold Medal Record At Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

When you speak of Olympic greats a few names present themselves quite naturally. Michael Phelps, Carl Lewis, perhaps even Al Oerter are all fairly common entries. But if your list ends there then maybe it needs some updating. Ireen Wuest from the Netherlands has recently shattered all Olympic records to become the most decorated Olympian athlete.

Winning her 6th medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 in the 1500m, Wuest wrote herself into the history books with a memorable performance, to say the least. Racing while being amongst the oldest on the track, Wuest’s achievement is in equal parts astounding and creditable.

Ireen Wuest is a Dutch skater who is already among the vaunted few of Olympic history. The speed skater had won 11 Olympic medals across her storied career; and as if that wasn’t enough, those 11 featured 5 Gold medals, 4 of which were from individual events. Wuest is clearly one of the top-performing athletes to ever have made it to the Olympics and she just beat Michael Phelps to the punch.

Recording her 6th victory at the Beijing Winter Olympics puts Wuest in a tier of her own with 6 Olympic gold medals now to her name. Beating the tie break with greats as Phelps and Lewis, Wuest writes herself into the annals of history with her performance in the 1500m.

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Ireen Wuest notches record victory

Wuest, aged 35, set the world alight when she won the 1500m at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. And that too in Olympic record time on Monday, successfully defending her title in the event. Wuest is already the most decorated Olympic speed skater of all time. The Dutch speed skater set her record by winning her record 6th gold and 12th overall. She now becomes the first athlete to break the tie and become the only athlete to win a medal in 5 consecutive Olympics.

Speaking to the media, it was obvious that the full scope of her achievement hadn’t quite gotten to her yet. She said, ?Of course, it means a lot, but I don?t realize it yet. So ask me this question again in 10 days. It?s just an emotional mess in my head and it?s just one happy place.?

“An Olympic record on this track is amazing,? said Wuest. The skater didn’t come into the event as a favorite despite being the defending champion. She was ranked 7th in the world in the event and her achievement was a true performance. Describing her performance in such a crunch situation as the Olympics, Wuest added, “I was really proud already of myself that I did my best 1500 on the biggest moment.”

The nerves at any Olympic event would be significant but with the events only coming along so often, Ireen Wuest had some special words to describe her mental space coming into the race.? Said Wuest, “It?s really nervous because you know a lot of good skaters are coming ahead. Yeah, it?s nerve-racking.?

And by no means was this an easy pursuit. Wuest started the race skating four pairs from the end, not favored to win the race at all. However, she clocked 1:53.28 to break the Olympic record by .23 and move ahead of the pack that had set the pace at 1:54.82.

?I will leave on top,? Wuest said. ?This is on top, isn?t it??

And Wuest is yet to compete in 2 events still to commence at the Beijing Games. All we can say is thank you, for letting us witness a legend in action!