Heerenveen is the most famous speed skating city in the Netherlands, located in the province of Friesland, with a population of approximately 40,000.

The artificial rink Thialf Stadium was opened in 1967, as the third Dutch artificial rink after Amsterdam and Deventer. It has been one of the most used venues for international championships since the Women's European Championships were held here in 1970. Several times bad weather and bad ice preparations made the conditions far from equal. In 1980 Eric Heiden probably lost his fourth consecutive world title to Hilbert van der Duim because of this.

The wish for equal conditions led to the construction of a roof on top of the track, and in 1986 Thialf became the second indoor speed skating track, after the Sportforum in Berlin. The famous 'floating roof' in Heerenveen has no pillars around the track. It has 14,000 seats and offers the spectators a splendid view on the rink.

During the opening races in November 1986 Hilbert van der Duim set an unofficial 1 hour World Record - 39.492,80 m. The first indoor World Championships were held here in 1987. Russian skater Nikolay Gulyayev won the title, and 4 new World Records were set.

In spite of being known as one of the centres of speed skating in the world, the Heerenveen rink has been in financial troubles several times. In 1988, the track went bankrupt, and as of the 2002/2003, there are again problems, partially caused by major renovations in the previous years.

Heerenveen has brought forward several great speed skaters, like Atje Keulen Deelstra, Hans van Helden and Hilbert van der Duim.

By Bjarte Hetland, last updated December 22, 2006