Dutchman baptizes Richmond Oval with Olympic record performance
This was supposed to be the "slow-val", but don't tell Dutchman Sven Kramer that.
In front of a boisterous crowd of orange clad countrymen, the gold-medal favourite broke the Olympic record in the men's 5000 metres, baptizing the $180 million Richmond Olympic Oval in unforgettable fashion.
It was a special moment, as hundreds of Dutchmen taught Canadians a thing or two about national pride with their fist-pumping, cheering and choice of fashions.
As the final pair of skaters were midway through their race, it became clear that Kramer's performance was golden.
"It's over, it's over," Dutch supporters gleamed.
This set the stage for what figures to be an Olympic-sized celebration at Holland Heineken House at the Richmond O Zone, the converted Minoru Park.
And with the Olympic record falling in the very first Olympic event, could other records also fall?
On Saturday afternoon, at least one athlete, boosted by fans clanging cow bells and brilliant ice conditions, let his skates do the talking, effectively silencing critics—for one day at least—who said the sea-level oval was slow and would never set any records, Olympic or otherwise.
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