Bisexual Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst made Olympic history
Explore the career of record-breaking figure skater Ireen Wüst, her retirement and what she's doing after leaving sports.
2024-02-06T22:05:56+00:00
- Speed Skater Ireen Wüst is an extraordinary athlete.
- She is the most decorated LGBTQ+ Olympian.
- She identifies as bisexual.
Ireen Karlijn Wüst, born in Goirle, Netherlands, is the most awarded speed skater in the history of the sport.
She won six Olympic gold medals, as well as being a 22-time world champion and eight-time European champion. She’s a true achiever.
She earned a total of 13 Olympic medals and she was honored as a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2006.
In March 2022, after participating in five Olympic games, speed skater Ireen Wüst, who identifies as bisexual, retired from competition.
The saddest episode of her life
According to Univers, Ireen Wüst lost her close friend and fellow skater Paulien van Deutekom in 2019.
The long-distance skater died from lung cancer at only 37. It was a tough blow for Ireen.
They competed against each other in 2005 and were friends ever since.
After retiring from skating in 2012, Paulien van Deutekom became involved in sports journalism. May she rest in peace.
What you may not know about Ireen Wüst
In a few weeks, speed skater Ireen Wüst will turn 38 years old. She was born on April 1, 1987.
After she retired from skating, her former coach, Gerard Kemkers, hired her to work as a sports advisor for young skaters.
Currently, she is married to fellow skater Letitia de Jong, whom she ‘shows off’ in photos and videos she shares on social media.
The couple enjoys boating trips and beach visits, as well as sports and biking.
She shares her daily life on social media
On her official Instagram account, Ireen Wüst introduces herself as a 6-time Olympic champion, as well as a multiple world and European champion.
As of Friday, January 26, 2024, she has nearly a thousand posts, which she shares with her over 128,000 followers.
This Dutch skater enjoys sharing photos and videos of her life, eliciting all sorts of reactions from her fans.
She posted an Instagram story of herself enjoying a glass of wine with one of her best friends.
Ireen Wust was ‘cuddled’ by Vladimir Putin
Perhaps one of the strangest moments in Ireen Wüst’s career was when she ‘cuddled’ Vladimir Putin.
According to E!, this happened at the 2014 Winter Olympics held in the city of Sochi.
The Russian president is known for being extremely anti-LGBTQ+.
After her victory in the 3,000 meter race, Wüst, who is openly bisexual, was embraced by Putin.
What does it mean to be bisexual?
Some may wonder what it means to be bisexual, like Dutch skater Ireen Wüst.
People who identify as bisexual feel emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to both men and women — some prefer identifying as fluid or queer.
This is slightly different than pansexual or polysexual.
Just as homophobia exists, biphobia is also very common.


