Piet Kleine was a very promising junior, and he was Dutch junior champion 1969 and 1971. In 1972 he was two weeks too old to take part in the first ISU Junior Championships. When most of the Dutch world top skaters turned professional in 1973, Piet Kleine entered the Dutch national team, and placed 3rd in his first World Championships in Deventer the same year. He performed best on his home ground, and his next podium position came in the European Championships in Heerenveen 1975, again placing 3rd.

He had his great year in 1976. This year he was Olympic 10000 m champion (after a close race with current World Record holder, Sten Stensen) and World champion (in Heerenveen again), and he set 3 World Records. Four years later he won silver on the 10000 m, only beaten by Eric Heiden.

He finished his international speed skating career in 1981, but he was an active marathon skater until 2001.

Highest rank on the Adelskalender: 2 (1976)

By Bjarte Hetland, last updated November 29, 2005