EUR student dreams of a podium place at the Students Olympics

Whilst most students are sweating over an exam or paper, between 29 January and 8 February, psychology student Ariane Smit (19) will be competing for medals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. At the Universiade, the Winter Olympics for students, she will be taking part in the 500 and 1,000 metre long track speed skating event. In her honour, Erasmus Sport organised a ‘leaving reception’ on Monday afternoon.

The Rotterdam-based skater is delighted about being selected (based on personal records) for the twenty athlete strong Dutch team. “At last I can compete in an international championship. And I’ve heard so many great stories. Former participants have told me it’s just like taking part in the real Olympic Games. There’s an opening and a closing ceremony and you sleep in the Olympic Village.” Besides the skaters, the Dutch team also consists of skiers and snowboarders.

Podium

Smit has been skating since the age of eleven (‘thanks to the girl next door’) and currently trains at the Regio Talentcentrum Zuidwest, where the biggest talents of South Holland meet. Every week, she trains for around 22 hours, a schedule which has already resulted in seven medals at the National Junior championships. “But I still haven’t got a gold,” she laughs.

Smit has been skating since the age of eleven (‘thanks to the girl next door’) and currently trains at the Regio Talentcentrum Zuidwest, where the biggest talents of South Holland meet. Every week, she trains for around 22 hours, a schedule which has already resulted in seven medals at the National Junior championships. “But I still haven’t got a gold,” she laughs.

Ariane Smit

That probably won’t be on the cards in Kazakhstan though. But Smit still sets high goals for herself. “My best distance is the 500 metres. I really want to be on the podium at that distance, even if the competition is strong. Whatever happens, I want to end in the top ten and have the best race of my life.” Her PR is 40.80.

But first there’s her baptism of fire this weekend during the National Spring Championships for seniors in Heerenveen. Smit: “I always intended to skate in Thialf. The stadium’s always full, unlike in other countries. And it’s my birthday on Sunday too.”

Smit flies on 28 January.