Dutch Speed Skater Launches Passionate Defence of Coach Amid Sexism Controversy
Dutch speed skater Femke Kok has delivered an impassioned defence of her coach, Dennis van der Gun, following accusations of sexism stemming from a congratulatory speech he gave after her Olympic triumph. The 25-year-old athlete, who secured gold in the 500m race at the Winter Olympics, found herself at the centre of an online storm after her coach's remarks.
The Speech That Sparked Outrage
During a team celebration at the Netherlands' headquarters, van der Gun, 47, praised Kok's incredible achievements, highlighting her 23 consecutive World Cup wins, three world titles, and now an Olympic gold medal. However, his speech took a controversial turn when he added, "Well, there's one thing she doesn't have yet, and that's a really nice boyfriend!" Reports indicate that while there were some performative boos and Kok laughed it off at the time, the online reaction was far more hostile.
Social media users quickly condemned the comment as a cheap sexist jibe, with one critic stating, "No way that something like that would ever be said to a man," and another lamenting that "sexism is still not over in 2026." The backlash highlighted ongoing concerns about gender stereotypes in sports, even in moments of celebration.
Kok's Firm Rebuttal on Social Media
In response, Kok took to Instagram with a lengthy post to defend her coach, expressing frustration at the misinterpretation of his joke. She wrote, "We had a great tribute in the team NL home of my GOLD medal! My coach Dennis has spoken a lot of kind words there. Unfortunately, a joke that the team NL house and I found funny, was misinterpreted online." She emphasised that the comment was well-intended and made no sense in the context of their relationship.
Kok further praised van der Gun, stating, "Dennis has a huge share in my gold medal and if there's anyone with whom I feel completely comfortable and respected as a woman, it's him. He’s a great coach and human being." She called for more friendliness online and urged people to stop making assumptions about individuals they do not know, concluding with gratitude for her coach's support.
Olympic Victory and Context
The controversy overshadowed what was a stellar performance by Kok at the Winter Olympics. She demonstrated why she was the heavy favourite in the 500m race, clocking an Olympic record time of 36.49 seconds to claim gold. Her victory saw her outpace compatriot Jutta Leerdam, who took silver, reversing their positions from the 1,000m event earlier in the Games. Leerdam's fiancé, Jake Paul, was among the spectators, adding a personal touch to the competition.
Kok's achievement marks a significant milestone in her career, solidifying her status as one of speed skating's top athletes. The incident has sparked broader discussions about respect, humour, and gender dynamics in sports, with Kok's defence highlighting the importance of context and personal relationships in such matters.
