Rintje Ritsma

Rintje Ritsma is a Dutch former long track speed skater, nicknamed the Bear from Lemmer after his imposing physical build. Born on 13 April 1970, he won the World Allround Championships four times, in 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2001, and the European Allround Championships a record six times. He took part in five Winter Olympics and won two silver and four bronze medals at the 1994, 1998 and 2006 Games, and he held the top place of the Adelskalender all-time ranking for 1,125 days in total. He skated four world records. Outside the sport he appeared in the Dutch version of The Masked Singer as the Springbok, and in October 2022 he became the Dutch national coach for the team pursuit, team sprint and mass start.