Winter Olympics briefing: Leerdam lights up the ice but Britain’s medal wait goes on

Femke Kok and Jutta Leerdam join Miho Takagi for a selfie on the podium after the women’s 1,000m speed skating. Photograph: ANP/Shutterstock

You couldn’t move for orange jumpers and coats in Milan’s speed skating stadium on Monday. Even the king was wearing one. Many Dutch people live for this sport in winter, when their waterways can freeze over, making it often more convenient to skate than walk.

Femke Kok has won the last three world titles over 500m. In November she broke the world record over that distance. On Monday she lined up alongside the 1,000m world record-holder, the 37-year-old Brittany Bowe, leaving her trailing in her wake and broke the Olympic record for good measure. King Willem-Alexander pumped his fists like a madman.