VANCOUVER-- Sven Kramer banished his painful memories of Turin four years ago with a dominating performance to win the Olympic 5,000 metres speed skating gold medal on Saturday.
"This is the biggest one," the powerful Dutchman told reporters after claiming his first Olympic gold. "This is the most important one."
Kramer waited four years to wash away his disappointment in Turin where he had to settle for silver in the 5,000 and lost what seemed a near certain Dutch gold in the Team Pursuit when he fell and they ended up with bronze.
"The pressure was so high in Holland and yeah, I said, 'I must do this.' Finally, I'm pretty happy."
Kramer had won just about everything in sight since Turin.
Three times in a row he took the world all-around title. He set world records in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and Team Pursuit, claimed six long-distance titles and won every race but one on the World Cup circuit over the past year.
"I worked my ass off to win this medal," he said. "It's an amazing feeling."
Kramer was cheered by the large Dutch contingent as soon as he stripped off for his warm-up laps.
The cheers from his frenzied orange-clad countrymen never stopped until he used his long pounding strides to complete victory by a massive 2.35 seconds.
Fans back home were no doubt also cheering. Those who signed up with a Dutch power company which is one of his sponsors will receive a discount of 50 euros for every gold medal he wins.
"I knew I couldn't go any faster. I gave it all," he said. "I was completely dead after the race. I think it was one of my best races."
Once victory was assured, Kramer climbed into the stands to hug his father Yep, a former Dutch Olympic speed skater, mother Elli and girlfriend Naomi Van As.
Kramer has visions of more Vancouver gold. He will be the overwhelming favorite in the 10,000 metres and yearns to make up for his 2006 error in the Team Pursuit title.
His victory allowed him to match Naomi in the Olympic gold department as she was in the Dutch team that won the field hockey crown in Beijing.
"Yeah I want to have more than her," he grinned. "I have two weeks left."
