A skater’s journey from heart surgery to Olympic triumph.
By Cathleena Zhu
Having won 15 gold medals in international competitions, including the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships, Yara Van Kerkhof thinks the last race at the Short Track Speed Skating World Championships in her home country, the Netherlands, as the perfect end of her 27-year career.
Van Kerkhof and her three teammates won gold in the women’s 3000 metres relay of the Championships held in Rotterdam in March 2024. She wept as she accepted her last medal.
“It was a great feeling to have tens of thousands of people cheering for us. I think their encouragement led to our team’s victory,” Van Kerkohf says.
“When I stood on the podium, I saw my seven-year-old self again. If that little girl could see what I have achieved today, she would be very proud,” she adds, recalling her childhood memory.
At the age of seven, Van Kerkhof was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and had an open heart surgery. Thanks to the treatment, she was able to keep her dream of becoming a short-track speed skater alive.
The Dutch athlete has always loved skating since she first stepped on the ice when she was three. But her parents did not want her to do athletic training because of her medical condition.
Van Kerkhof insisted on doing simple exercises such as jogging every day for three years. Her parents were convinced by their daughter’s passion and were determined to find the best doctors for her.
“My family asked almost everyone they knew. One of my father’s colleagues had a child who also had heart problems and was treated at a facility called Stichting Hartedkind, so they sent me there too,” the 34-year-old athlete recalls.
Stichting Hartedkind conducts scientific research on inherent heart defects in children. The non-profit organisation (NGO) also provides children with free treatment and rehabilitation after surgery.
Founded by Wesley Keesomlaan in 1995, the organisation is funded by donations and gifts from individuals and businesses.
The short-track athlete underwent her open heart surgery with the help of the organisation in 1997 followed by a six-month recovery.
“Not only they brought me physical repair, but also a lot of emotional support. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to get back on the ice because of the risk of surgery, but the staff always encouraged me that I would be able to achieve my dreams after treatment, so I trusted them,” Van Kerkohf says.
After the surgery, a tailor-made recovery exercise regimen was developed for Van Kerkohf. The NGO is still in constant contact with the athlete and checks on her monthly.
Van Kerkohf made a good recovery from her disease in ten years. She could do the same amount of exercise as a professional athlete.
“When I was 17, I decided to try out for the Dutch national team. My goal was to stand on the Olympic field,” the short-track skater says.
In 2018, Van Kerkohf achieved her Olympic dream. She won silver and bronze medals in the 500 metre 1000 metre races respectively in Pyeongchang Olympic, a historic breakthrough for the Dutch short-track speed skating team. She was 28.
The athlete thanked her doctor for making her dreams come true for the first time after the competition.
Van Kerkhof says the director of the NGO told her that many children with congenital heart disease become braver because of her. More than 100 children born with heart disease are now doing short track speed skating.
“I was very moved, as the Olympic spirit is to inspire people to be strong. But I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help,” Van Kerkhof says.
The world champion is an ambassador of the NGO to encourage more children with heart disease.
Van Kerkhof holds lectures, hosts fun games and does bike rides for the children treated there every year when she has no race.
“I hope the kids here can gain friendship and bravery in these fun games. It’s important to let them know that there are no limits in what they can do,” Van Kerkhof says.
“A big reason for my decision to retire this year is also to explore more outside of sports,” the world champion adds.
The Dutch athlete says she will continue to help more children with heart problems achieve their dreams by learning more human biology and medicine.
“As for my next step, I hope to learn more medical expertise to provide these children with both treatment and training support,” Van Kerkhof says.
Edited by Enya So
Sub-edited by Cynthia Chan
