Jaap Eden, Dutch cyclist and skater, is by most people associated with the birth
of modern speed skating. He became world champion 3 times (1893, 1895 and 1896).
His world record 8.37.6 on 5000 meters from Hamar 25 February 1894 was standing
for 20 years until finally broken by
Oscar Mathisen in Davos 17 January 1914.
The Russian Nikolaj Strunnikov went, outside competition, on Febrary 4,
1911 8.37.2 at Frogner during the Norwegian Championship, but this world
record was not ratified by ISU
until 1967. Eden's active career was considerably shortened by illness. He died
in 1925.Back to other skaters.