Openly Lesbian Dutch Speed Skater Ireen Wüst Wins Gold Medal

Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst, who came out as lesbian last October, won the gold medal in last night’s women’s 1500 meter final.

Wust, who won the 3,000 and was third in the 1,500 four years ago in Turin, won with a time of 1 minute 56.89 seconds. “Pulling all the pieces together, I’m so proud and happy. I can’t describe how happy I am. I don’t have words for it,” said Wust, who broke down crying on the medal podium while the Dutch national anthem was played. “I think I’m the happiest person on Earth right now.” Kristina Groves of Canada was second in 1:57.14 and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic took the bronze in 1:57.96 to add to her gold from the 3,000 at these games.

VIDEO: Ireen Wüst celebrates with her countrymen at Vancouver’s Olympic Holland House.

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