Winter Olympics 2022: 'My reputation on the line' - Ice maker Mark Messer denies Dutch speed skating claims

Canadian ice maker Mark Messer has denied being influenced by the Dutch speed skating team to make conditions more favourable for their skaters at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, and says the allegations threaten his career, with his reputation “on the line”. The controversy started after a website in the Netherlands quoted Dutch team scientist Sander van Ginkel, who gave details of a conversation he had with Messer ahead of the Games, where he shared tests and measurements from his own research.

Ad/> «By showing how I came up with my measurements, I hope to convince Messer and his people of my ideas. What I mainly try to do is to give them new information.

For example, he now knows that the ice temperature is slightly above zero just after a resurfacing break,» van Ginkel was quoted as saying. Beijing 2022'Biggest scandal in our sport' — Swedish star says ice controversy 'as bad as doping'A DAY AGO 'Biggest scandal in our sport' — Swedish star says ice controversy 'as bad as doping' Beijing 2022 Olympic Games: Schedule, big names, key events and more «Messer understands that I share things like this with him because our team can benefit from it when the conditions are optimal.

Look, ultimate responsibility for the ice remains with Messer at all times. By naming things and continuing to insist on adjustments that are in our favour, we can achieve something more.» Speaking in response to these claims at his hotel in Beijing, Messer told Reuters: “The actual conversation that goes with that picture is me telling him not to come back, because I'm not going to tell him anything that I'm not going to tell every other country.