Jaap Eden

Jacobus Johannes "Jaap" Eden (October 19, 1873 – February 2, 1925) was a Dutch athlete. As of 2004, he is the only person to have won world championship titles in both speed skating and cycling. His successes made him very popular with the public, and he may be considered the first sports hero in the Netherlands.

Early life

Jaap Eden was born in Groningen to Johannes Eden and Maria Baale. Eden's mother died of complications from his birth. His father, too busy with his job as a gymnastics teacher, could not take care of the baby alone, and sent him to his grandparents, who owned a hotel near Santpoort. As a young boy, Eden enjoyed sports, such as running (which he practised in the dunes near his grandparents's home), gymnastics and, in the winter, skating. His speed and good skating technique were noticed by the best Dutch skater at the time, Klaas Pander, and he invited the 15-year-old Eden to join him in training.

Related Topics:
Groningen - Santpoort - Klaas Pander

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In December 1890, in a so-called kortebaan competition over 160 m, Jaap Eden won his first important victory. Many observers saw a great talent in him, and Eden, 17 at the time, was allowed by the Dutch Federation to compete in the world championships.

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These world championships were organised by the Skating Club of Amsterdam, as there was no international governing body for speed skating at the time. Only two foreign skaters entered the event, American Joe Donoghue becoming the first World Champion1. Eden only skated in the two shortest of the four events on the programme, placing 3rd and 4th in the half mile and mile, respectively. Weeks later, Eden also entered the European Championships in Hamburg, but without any notable success.

Related Topics:
Amsterdam - Joe Donoghue - 1 - Mile - Hamburg

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Due to bad weather, the 1892 World Championships have to be cancelled, while the European Championships in that year were only attended by Austrian skaters. Eden did compete in the Prince of Orange Cup in England, where he won his first international competition.

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In the summer of 1892, skating officials from several European countries convened in Scheveningen. The International Skating Union (ISU) was established, and the body's newly drafted constitution announced that there would be annual World Championships, to be held over four distances: 500 m, 1500 m, 5000 m and 10000 m. As had been the case at the previous unofficial World Championships, he who wins three of the four races will be declared the winner. The first ISU-governed world championships were scheduled to take place on the Museumplein in

Related Topics:
Scheveningen - International Skating Union - Museumplein

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Amsterdam.

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