Gianni ROMME

One of the all-time best long distance skaters, Gianni Romme won a boat load of titles. Between 1996 and 2000, he won seven single distance World Championships, four in the 10,000 m and three in the 5,000 m. At the 1998 Olympics, he shattered the long distance World Records on the newly introduced clap skates and won two gold medals. He could not repeat his successes in Salt Lake City, barely qualifying for the Dutch 10,000 m team, eventually taking home a silver medal. Although his first international allround appearance was weak, Romme won the 2000 world title, and in 2003 won the double by taking both the European and World Championships. Romme won 22 World Cup races, and won the overall 5/10k World Cup on four occasions (1998, 2000-2002). In Dutch Championships, Romme took three allround titles and six distance titles, remarkably never winning the 10,000 m. Following his second allround title, Romme's performance gradually degraged. After a poor season start in 2006/2007, Romme decided to retire. He soon after turned to coaching, with German star Anni Friesinger as his most prominent pupil. In addition to his main prizes, Romme set eight World Records, became Dutch Male Athlete of the year in 1998 and won the Oscar Mathisen Award in 2000. He is married to Mariëlle van Scheppingen, a former Dutch track cycling champion and speed skater.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.97 (2002); 1000 – 1:14.33 (2000); 1500 – 1:47.88 (2002); 5000 – 6:14.70 (2005); 10000 – 13:03.40 (2001).