The rhythm of the 10,000 meters: A farewell in style
The ice in the Fiera Milano cracked yesterday in a way that we at Miss Salsa recognize all too well: the sound of a final performance. While the spotlights of the 2026 Winter Olympics were focused on young talent, a moment took place in the shadows that touches the heart of every dancer and athlete. Ted-Jan Bloemen, the man who gave skating color for years with his signature technique and perseverance, skated his very last 10,000 meters. With a ninth place, he said goodbye to the highest stage, and he did so with tears in his eyes.
In my thirty years in the dance world, I have seen many great artists do their 'last dance'. It is a moment of pure vulnerability. Your body still wants to, but the clock ticks on relentlessly. Bloemen, now 39 years old, knew he was no longer competing for medals against the young guns like 19-year-old Metoděj Jílek, who claimed gold with a fabulous time. But the way Bloemen completed his races, with that deep crouch and that endless stride, reminded me of an experienced ballet dancer who masters the technique to his very core, even as the jumps become less high.
The veterans against the new guard
It was a day of extremes on the longest distance. On one hand, the Czech sensation Jílek, who won the 10,000 meters in a time that made the competition look pale. On the other hand, the veterans who showed that experience is a weapon. Alongside Bloemen, we saw a phenomenal Jorrit Bergsma. At 40 years old, the Frisian fought his way to a bronze medal, an achievement that is almost unprecedented in the sports world.
According to the latest reports from the NOS, the bronze for Bergsma was a crowning achievement on a long road back. It reminds me of dancers who only truly reach their artistic peak after their thirties. The power may be less explosive, but the control over every muscle fiber is many times greater. Bergsma and Bloemen showed that the 10,000 meters is not just a physical battle of attrition, but a mental choreography of 25 laps.
The mental resilience of a champion
What gave this day extra weight was the context surrounding Jorrit Bergsma. In a candid interview with Sportnieuws.nl, it emerged that therapy saved his career after the 'Sochi trauma'. This is a theme we often sweep under the carpet in the dance world, but it is important for sustainable success. The pressure to perform, the fear of failure, and the grueling training sessions can break a person.
At Miss Salsa, we see this too: dancers who are technically perfect but mentally block the moment they step onto the stage. That Bergsma is still on that podium at forty is not just due to his legs, but because of the work he has done on his mindset. Ted-Jan Bloemen shares that same passion. The Leiderdorp-born skater, who later chose Canada, has always been a thinker. His ability to adapt and keep fighting for every second is a lesson for everyone who stands on a stage.
What dancers can learn from skating technique
When I look at Bloemen's stride, I see parallels with the basics of salsa and ballroom. It's all about weight transfer. In skating, the 'pressure' on the skate is important to generate speed without wasting unnecessary energy. In the dance world, we call this 'grounding'. If you're not well-grounded in the floor, you lose balance and elegance.
Specifically, this means for dancers:
- Focus on the core: Both skaters and dancers get their stability from their trunk. Without a strong core, you cannot maintain those long lines.
- Rhythm monitoring: A 10,000 meters is a marathon on music-less rhythm. You have to use your own heartbeat and breathing as a metronome.
- Efficiency: Bloemen was a master at minimizing resistance. In dance class, we also emphasize this: don't make unnecessary movements that take you out of your flow.
The legacy of Ted-Jan Bloemen
Bloemen does not leave the ice with a medal in Milan, but he leaves the sport with a legacy larger than metal. He was the man who proved that you can step off the beaten path — by emigrating to Canada — and break world records there. He broke the Dutch hegemony and forced everyone to be sharper.
In the dance world, we often see this too: the innovators are first viewed with suspicion until they show that their method works. Ted-Jan was such an innovator. His departure marks the end of an era in which he and Bergsma called the shots in the long distances. The ninth place in Milan felt like a worthy tribute, a moment where the audience didn't just clap for the time on the board, but for years of dedication.
The transition to a new life
For many top athletes and dancers, the 'black hole' after their career is a real danger. When the daily routine of training and performing falls away, who are you then? Bloemen seems ready for it. He gave everything, and the emotions after his race in Milan showed that the circle is complete. He has changed the sport, and the sport has shaped him.
At Miss Salsa, we always advise experienced dancers to pass on their knowledge. Bloemen's technique, that unique way of gliding, would be worth gold for the next generation of Canadian or Dutch skaters. It's exactly like in our dance studio: the passion doesn't stop when you stop performing; the passion changes form.
As we prepare for the rest of these Games, hopefully with much more spectacle, the images of the 10,000 meters linger in my mind. Not just Jílek's win, but especially the look on Bloemen's face when he crossed the line. It was the look of a man who knew he had left everything on the ice. And that, my dear dance friends, is the highest form of art that exists.