Jan Jelte Ykema (born 18 April 1963) is a former ice speed skater from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at two consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. In 1988 (Calgary) he won the silver medal in the men's 500 metres. The same year he won all of his three World Cup races. A year later Ykema retired from international competition to work in real estate business. During his career he won three national sprint titles (1982, 1987 and 1988) and three distance titles.

After retiring from skating, Ykema became addicted to cocaine, and this addiction lasted for about 15 years. After he recovered he started giving lessons at secondary schools about his addiction. Source :

Jan Ykema

In 2008 he returned to competitive speed skating as assistant coach for the APPM team.

Jan Ykema

Records

Personal records

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Jan Ykema

World records

Tournament overview

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References

1963 births

Living people

Dutch male speed skaters

Speed skaters at the 1984 Winter Olympics

Speed skaters at the 1988 Winter Olympics

Olympic speed skaters for the Netherlands

Olympic silver medalists for the Netherlands

Sportspeople from Friesland

People from Harlingen, Netherlands

Olympic medalists in speed skating

Medalists at the 1988 Winter Olympics