- Four Dutch athletes threw a massive mock medal into a crowd of fans during a party at Heineken House.
- The incident injured one fan and hospitalised another.
- Dutch team leader Sven Kramer issued a groveling apology on Twitter.
A Winter Olympic gold medalist has been forced to apologise after he injured two fans at a Heineken party.
Sven Kramer won bronze in Pyeongchang in the speed skating team pursuit alongside Jan Blokhuijsen, Patrick Roest, and Koen Verweij. This followed Kramer’s gold medal success in the 5,000-metre race earlier in the month.
To celebrate their achievements, the team attended a gathering at Heineken House. There was music, interviews with the athletes, and according to Yahoo Sports, an opportunity to pass a massive mock Olympic medal around the crowd as per tradition.
Kramer and pals hoisted the huge medal into the air and threw it into the crowd. The medal soared over a collection of arms and ploughed into a number of fans who were unable to catch it. Netherlands newspaper De Telegraaf has claimed that the incident injured two Korean women — and one of them was hospitalised.
You can watch a video of the incident here:
Kramer, the speed skating team leader, issued an apology on Twitter.
“Hello Korean fans. I apologise for the injury last night in the Heineken House representing our team. You came here to cheer the Netherlands’ ice sports team. But accidents happen and I apologise for this. And I hope for a quick recovery. And I will try my best to show a good performance. Thank you.”
It was not the only incident Kramer was involved in. According to De Telegraaf, Kramer also shouted at fans.
Kramer threatened to leave the party as he believed fans were too noisy during an interview segment with Heineken House presenter and former Olympic gold medalist Mark Tuitert.
At one point, he shouted: “Please respect me a little!”
Kramer is next in action at the Gangneung Oval ice rink on Friday, when he takes part in the men’s mass start speed skating event.
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