Dutch Get Off to Flying Start Thanks to Runaway by Romme

Even before Gianni Romme put on his speedskates, his world record in the 5,000 meters had been shattered. Then he watched a fellow Dutchman go even faster.

In the final race Sunday, Romme broke the mark by a staggering six seconds to win the gold medal in an impressive showing by the Dutch.

Rintje Ritsma, also of the Netherlands, got the silver, and Bart Veldkamp, a former Dutchman now skating for Belgium, won the bronze.

In all, 8 1/2 seconds were cut off Romme’s record in the Olympic race.

Romme finished in 6:22.20, standing upright as he crossed the line. He whipped off his hood and thrust his arms into the air as he passed the singing, swaying Dutch fans clad in orange.

“At least I can say I had a world record for a little while,” Veldkamp said. “It was a great performance. Six seconds faster was unbelievable.”

It was a sensational start to what the Dutch hope will be redemption from a lackluster performance at the 1994 Games, when they failed to win a gold medal in speedskating for only the second time since 1964.

KC Boutiette of Tacoma, Wash., set an American record of 6:39.67 to finish 14th. David Tamburrino of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was 16th.

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Medalists

Speedskating

Men’s 5,000

Gold: Gianni Romme, Netherlands

Silver: Rintje Ritsma, Metherlands

Bronze: Bart Veldkamp, Belgium