Kris Schildermans chooses for social career - News

31-08-2010
The Belgian stayer Kris Schildermans has decided to retire from speed skating. After several years of great development and much progress he had hoped to qualify for the Olympic Games last year, but he did not manage to do so. Then he lost his contract with the Belgian Army, which made him decide to quit skating. A difficult choice, fed by the offer he got to start working in Sweden.

"My girlfriend is Swedish, and after training with the Swedish national team that country feels as my second homeland. I wanted to live there anyway. Since last week I know I get to work with Facil in Gothenburg, a company headquartered in Belgium. This was obviously a great offer."

"Unfortunately I will not be able to say goodbye to the sport in a race, but I must quickly begin in Gothenburg, so I have no choice. Unfortunately, this will not be good for my sports career, but I don’t exclude a possible participation in an alternative Elfstedentocht in Sweden!"