Kees Broekman

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameCornelis "Kees"•Broekman
Used nameKees•Broekman
Born2 July 1927 in De Lier, Zuid-Holland (NED)
Died8 November 1992 in Berlin, Berlin (GER)
Affiliations?, De Lier (NED)
NOC Netherlands
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Discovered by fellow Olympian Siem Heiden, Kees Broekman quickly became one of the top long distance skaters in the post-war years. He was came within 3 tenths of winning the 1948 World Championships, missing his third distance win, and a guaranteed title, in the 1500 m. He placed second at the 1949 Worlds, but was subsequently overshadowed by Hjalmar Andersen of Norway. Behind Andersen, Broekman won two silver medals in the 1952 Olympics, the first ever Winter Olympic medals for the Netherlands. A year later, with Andersen retired, Broekman won his only international title, taking the European Championships. Although he was the first Dutchman to do so, this victory was overshadowed by the North Sea flood that hit the Netherlands that same day. Broekman, who had meanwhile settled in Norway, continued to skate until the 1960 Olympics, but without any major success. He later became a successful skating coach, leading Atje Keulen-Deelstra and Göran Claeson to world titles. He eventually became a coach in Berlin, where he died at age 65.

Personal Bests: 500 – 44.2 (1956); 1500 – 2:13.2 (1956); 5000 – 8:00.2 (1956); 10000 – 16:33.5 (1956).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Kees Broekman
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 28
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 9
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 6
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
1952 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Kees Broekman
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1956 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Kees Broekman
500 metres, Men (Olympic) =37
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 14
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) =4
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
1960 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NED Kees Broekman
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 20
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 16

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1956 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony NED Kees Broekman
1960 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony NED Kees Broekman

Olympic family relations

Special Notes