Olympic coach accused of ‘sexist’ comment about feminine gold medallist after he joked she wanted to get a ‘very nice boyfriend’
A Dutch speed skater has launched an impassioned defence of her coach – after he was accused of sexism in a congratulatory speech about her.
Femke Kok, 25, won gold in the 500m race at the Winter Olympics and later on in the day, her trainer Dennis van der Gun, 47, was singing her praises in front of other members of the team.
During his speech about Kok at the team HQ, he said: ‘I think I speak for everyone in the Netherlands and I’m incredibly proud of you for what you’ve accomplished.
‘I was just thinking… You’ve now won 23 World Cups in a row, three world titles in a row, and now an Olympic title. I thought: “what more could you want? What doesn’t she have yet?” Well, there’s one thing she doesn’t have yet, and that’s a really nice boyfriend!’
There was reportedly a smattering of performative boos in the house and Kok laughed off the awkward joke at the time.
However, the online reaction was far more hostile, with plenty condemning Van Der Gun for what they saw as a cheap sexist jibe.
Femke Kok celebrates after winning the gold medal in the 500m race at the Winter Olympics
Kok (right) defended her coach Dennis van der Gun (left) after a joke he made about her
One wrote: ‘No way that something like that would ever be said to a man’, while another added that ‘sexism is still not over in 2026.’
But Kok herself came out swinging in defence of her coach with a lengthy explanation of her feelings on Instagram.
She wrote: ‘We had a great tribute in the team NL home of my GOLD medal! My coach Dennis has spoken a lot of kind words there.
‘Unfortunately, a joke that the team NL house and I found funny, was misinterpreted online.
‘Which really doesn’t make any sense and was just well intended. Unbelievable…
‘Dennis has a huge share in my gold medal and if there’s anyone with whom I feel completely comfortable and respected as a woman, it’s him.
‘He’s a great coach and human being. My night and everyone else’s in the Team NL house was amazing. Let’s be more friendly online and stop shouting things about people you don’t know.
‘I’m grateful to my coach for everything ❤️ (even for all the sweet messages in my DM’s (this is a joke).’
Jutta Leerdam (left) poses with her silver medal alongside her team-mate with gold
Kok saw off competition from compatriot Jutta Leerdam in the final, with her fiancé Jake Paul watching on.
Kok duly demonstrated why she was the heavy favorite in a blazing race of her own alongside USA’s Erin Jackson.
The victor clocked an Olympic record time of 36.49 seconds to take the gold and a reverse with Leerdam from the 1,000m earlier in the Games.
