Gianni Romme

Gianni Romme

Gianni Petrus Cornelis Romme (born February 12, 1973 in Lage Zwaluwe, North Brabant) is a Dutch marathoner and a former long track speed skater. He has also been a coach since the 2006-07 speed skating season.

During his long track career, Romme prevailed in long distances (5,000 and 10,000 metres). His greatest triumphs came at the 1998 Winter Olympics, where he won both events. Four years later, at the 2002 Winter Olympics, he captured the silver medal in the 10,000 metre event, beaten only by compatriot Jochem Uytdehaage.

He has also won numerous gold medals at the World Single Distance Championships in both the 5,000-m and the 10,000-m, was two times World Allround Champion, and spent some time (118 days in total) at the top of the all-time world ranking, the Adelskalender.

As of 2006-07, Romme started his own coaching career. International speed skaters Anni Friesinger, Ralf van der Rijst and Risto Rosendahl decided to join his team. Romme himself wanted to continue his career, but announced at the opening day of the 2007 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships that he would no longer participate in long track speed skating, only in marathon speed skating.