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.

Skating successes

Two days before the world championships were held, Eden participated in the Dutch national championships. He won both competitions (over 1500 m and 5000 m). His winning time in the 1500 m, 2.35,0 is the first ISU-recognised world record in that distance. This made Eden, who had trained in Norway earlier that winter, one of favourites for the upcoming World Championships.

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In the first race of that tournament, the 1500 m, Eden tied with Oskar Frederiksen (Norway) in the preliminaries, but soundly beat him in a head-to-head final race. He outclassed the field in the 5000 m, winning by a margin of victory of over half a minute, while his main opponent Frederiksen did not finish the race. Eden was challenged again by Frederiksen in the first run of the 500 m on the second day, but in the final Eden again beat the Norwegian. This meant Eden's third victory, which was sufficient for the world title. Frederiksen ended his tournament on a high, skating the first official world record in the 10000 m. Eden, riding alone in the last race, fell after the first lap and abandoned the race.

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After his victory, Eden was welcomed by a large crowd in his home town Haarlem. He became known throughout the country, and many products bearing his name were produced, such as cigars, chocolates and an alcoholic beverage. He was popular with the public, always available for a talk or a joke.

Related Topics:
Haarlem - Cigar - Chocolate

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The next winter, Eden trained in Hamar, Norway and travelled to Stockholm for the World Championships in early February 1894. Because of bad weather, the championships are held in nearby Saltsjöbaden. The first distance, the 500 m, saw Eden paired with Frederiksen. The Norwegian false-started, but was unaware of this until the finish. He was requested to re-skate immediately, but Frederiksen wanted to recover first. Eden, conviced Frederiksen will be disqualified, then skated alone, finishing in 50,4 seconds. The time is later matched by Frederiksen in his second attempt. Because Jaap Eden does not want to skate a tie-breaker, Frederiksen is appointed the winner after drawing lots.

Related Topics:
Hamar - Stockholm - 1894 - Saltsjöbaden

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Eden takes revenge in the best possible way, skating a new World Record in the day's second event, the 10,000 m. With 19.12,4, he is half a minute ahead of the other contenders. In the third distance, he loses to Einar Halvorsen, which means there will be no World Champion. Disappointed, Eden fails to finish the final distance after a fall.

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Two weeks later, the European Championships took place in Hamar. Eden failed to compete on the first day, officially because of the strong wind. However, it was later revealed that he was in fact in his hotel during the 500 m. He spent his time together with one of the chambermaids of Hotel Victoria, with whom he had an affair. Eden returned to the ice on the second day, and displayed his ability by winning the 5,000 m in 8.37,6 — a new World Record by almost half a minute. The record would remain unbeaten for nearly 17 years, until it was broken by Nikolay Strunnikov2.

Related Topics:
Nikolay Strunnikov - 2

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