Disappointed is an understatement

A new national trauma. WC '74, Hilbert van der Duim's missed lap on the 5k, Seedorf's penalty. And now Sven Kramer's 10k in Vancouver. Disqualified because of an error of his coach.

I watched it online, while chatting away on Twitter. And then it happened. Coach Gerard Kemkers told Sven to take the inner rather than the outer lane. Bye bye Olympic Gold. Bye bye Olympic Record. Hello amazing sportsman. Sven's interview for Dutch TV was impressive. So composed, so mature. I so felt for him. And almost even more for Kemkers, the best coach we've ever had. A beautiful person, judging from what I've seen from him in the past twenty or so years. By 3.24am I was still wide awake. Almost feeling their devastation. Thinking of Sven. Thinking of Gerard. And thinking of the amazing things these two have done. I hope they (and the rest of the team) can do more amazing things in the team pursuit on Friday.
Picture nicked off Wereldomroep.nl

Sports sports sports

After yet another week of cardio, pilates, aerobics and more cardio, I am pretty pleased to see a decrease in centimeters and a more toned body. The hard work is paying off. And the great feeling after a hard work out is so worth the effort.

The Irish' rugby team's hard work didn't pay off quite as much today. They lost miserably from the frogs. After a hugely exciting Wales-Scotland match, Les Verts broke their winning spell. Unlucky 13, after having won 12 matches in a row.

Now I am counting on Sven Kramer to make my day from a sports perspective. If only he can skate towards gold tonight.... While I am listening to Jochem Uytdehaage on the radio, I go back to the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002. While Jochem was skating his 10k, I was driving home from a farewell party of a colleague. I broke my own speed record on the A10, cheering and shouting whilst driving, hoping to catch the last laps. Just when I reached my exit, Jochem won gold. Tears of happiness running down my cheeks. Today I am lucky to have the combination of BBC internet and Dutch Radio 1. Go Sven Go! Make our day!