Lara van Ruijven

Career Van Ruijven first competed as a member of the Dutch Olympic team at the 2014 Winter Olympics. In the 500 metres she was third in her heat, failing to advance, and placing 17th overall. As a member of the Dutch 3000 metre relay team, she was disqualified in the heats, again not advancing. Throughout that year, she had problems with her knee that compelled her to change her training routine. Three years later, in September 2017, she dislocated her shoulder. Several weeks later, she secured her first medal at the World Championships, when her team finished runner-up in the 3000 metre relay. Four days later, she was transferred to an intensive care unit due to an autoimmune disease. She died on 10 July 2020 at a hospital in Perpignan, France; she was 27 years old.

Achievements

World Cup victories Source: