Kjeld Nuis fell hard on Sunday following his 1,000 meters at the World Cup in Salt Lake City. The three-time Olympic champion remained in bed for a long time, was treated with care and left the skating rink on a stretcher.
Nuis hit a block while exiting and slid hard into the boarding. The 34-year-old North Hollander remained on his back and then got up for a while, but lay down once more.
No risks were taken with Nuis, who received a brace around his neck and was taken away on a stretcher. Soon followingwards it became clear that he was dizzy and had problems with his neck.
The KNSB soon reported that Nuis was doing “reasonably okay”. According to Dennis van der Gun, coach at Team Reggeborgh, things are now improving. “All checks in the hospital were good. But it was a strange fall, he was very dizzy. It will be stiff tomorrow,” he reported on Sunday evening (local time).
Nuis had set the fourth fastest time behind American Jordan Stolz, compatriot Tim Prins and Japanese Tatsuya Shinhamade in the 1,000 meters, the distance at which he came last on Friday due to illness. He opted out of Saturday’s 1,500 meters. He was still not in top condition on Sunday.
The World Distance Championships will be held in Calgary in two weeks. At the tournament, which will be held from February 15 to 18, Nuis normally rides the 1,000 and 1,500 meters.
