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Carien KleibeukerDutch athlete, speed skater; specializes in long distances - primarily at a distance of 5000 meters.
Date of Birth: 12.03.1978
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- Biography of Karin Kleibecker
- Early Career
- First Major Medal
- Breakthrough
- Olympic Debut
- Marathons and Return
- Olympic Success
Biography of Karin Kleibecker
IntroductionKarin Kleibecker is a Dutch athlete who specializes in long-distance speed skating, particularly in the 5000-meter distance.
Early Career
After several decent performances, Karin Kleibecker announced her retirement from professional sports and pursued a career in sports medicine. However, she made a comeback in 2010 and proved that her skills had not diminished. By 2014, she had reached an Olympic level.
First Major Medal
Karin Kleibecker won her first significant medal at the National Championship in individual distance speed skating. She secured the 3rd place in the 5000-meter race. However, she struggled to replicate this success in the following years, with consistently weaker results.
Breakthrough
In December 2005, Karin achieved a victory in the 5000-meter race at the World Cup. This performance not only demonstrated that Kleibecker should not be underestimated but also earned her a spot in the Olympic team for Turin.
Olympic Debut
Despite her Olympic debut not being as successful as hoped, with a 10th place finish in the 5000-meter race, it was still a respectable achievement. Karin Kleibecker inadvertently became involved in a bribery scandal during the Turin Olympics. She was a witness in a case involving a coach attempting to bribe a Polish athlete to withdraw from the race.
Marathons and Return
Karin Kleibecker expanded her repertoire beyond long-distance speed skating and began participating in marathon races. In the 2007-2008 season, she announced her focus would be on marathons and left professional sports temporarily to become a physiotherapist. However, she returned to skating in the 2010-2011 season.
Olympic Success
In 2013, Kleibecker unexpectedly won the 5000-meter race at the Dutch Olympic team qualifiers, securing her place in the Olympic team. At the Sochi Olympics, she showcased her talent once again and earned a bronze medal in the 5000-meter race, finishing behind Martina Sáblíková from the Czech Republic and her fellow Dutch skater Ireen Wüst.
