{"id":974,"date":"2017-01-18T15:10:51","date_gmt":"2017-01-18T14:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/?p=64791\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:05","slug":"eur-studente-droomt-van-podiumplaats-bij-olympische-studentenspelen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2017\/01\/18\/eur-studente-droomt-van-podiumplaats-bij-olympische-studentenspelen\/","title":{"rendered":"EUR student dreams of a podium place at the Students Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSchaatsfoto's<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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 \u2018leaving reception\u2019 on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The Rotterdam-based skater is delighted about being selected (based on personal records) for the twenty athlete strong Dutch team. \u201cAt last I can compete in an international championship. And I\u2019ve heard so many great stories. Former participants have told me it\u2019s just like taking part in the real Olympic Games. There\u2019s an opening and a closing ceremony and you sleep in the Olympic Village.\u201d Besides the skaters, the Dutch team also consists of skiers and snowboarders.<\/p>\n

Podium<\/h3>

Smit has been skating since the age of eleven (\u2018thanks to the girl next door\u2019) and\u00a0currently 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. \u201cBut I still haven\u2019t got a gold,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n

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Ariane Smit<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMadelon van Horik<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Smit has been skating since the age of eleven (\u2018thanks to the girl next door\u2019) and\u00a0currently 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. \u201cBut I still haven\u2019t got a gold,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n

Ariane Smit<\/p>\n

That probably won\u2019t be on the cards in Kazakhstan though. But Smit still sets high goals for herself. \u201cMy 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.\u201d Her PR is 40.80.<\/p>\n

But first there\u2019s her baptism of fire this weekend during the National Spring Championships for seniors in Heerenveen. Smit: \u201cI always intended to skate in Thialf. The stadium\u2019s always full, unlike in other countries. And it\u2019s my birthday on Sunday too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smit flies on 28 January.<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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