Source: NH Media / Michiel Baas
Exactly two months after retiring as a top skater, three-time Olympic champion Irene Schouten has won another prize. The West Frisian editors asked the question: who deserves a street name? By far the most votes were for Schouten, who felt honored.
Three Olympic gold medals, a string of world titles and now also an ‘own street name’. Even in her early skating retirement, Schouten is too fast for the competition. And so NH visited her in Hoogkarspel to surprise the winner with her own street sign.
The West Frisian editorial team lately delved into street names and asked two questions. What is the most special street name in West Friesland and who do you think – ignoring all existing rules – deserves their own street name?
Own street sign for Irene Schouten
The strangest street name was unanimously chosen: Whore hunting in Enkhuizen. And Irene Schouten soon turned out to be the public favorite among the West Frisians to be named in a new street. She collected the most votes and received her own street sign this morning. “Inspirational for youth and a top sportswoman,” was one of the motivations.
“I feel honored. Not many people can say that with their own street name,” she laughs. “I’m going to think about where I can put this nicely.” Because Schouten does not (yet) get an official street name. To qualify for this, people must have been deceased for ten years, with the exception of members of the royal family.
‘I still get messages’
But the appreciation is no less. “Why did people vote for me?” she repeats the question. “They probably saw me skating a lot and enjoyed it on television. I still get messages from people who are sad that I have stopped. That means something to me, so I am happy that I have given those people many wonderful moments.”
From Jan van der Gracht to Jan Vlaar: “It meant a lot”
Jan van der Gracht, Han Neef, Jenny Ligthart, Eddy Boom, Ernesto Hoost and Hero Stam. Just a selection of the names of people who were nominated by visitors to NH. “Hero Stam has given the Opperdoezer Ronde national fame,” it said.
After Irene Schouten, the person who was nominated most times for her own street name is Jan Vlaar from Oosterblok. “A man who has done a lot for Oosterblok. Both at school and for the church and parish. He was also conductor of three choirs.” Someone else strongly agreed: “He has meant a lot to the community in Oosterblok.”
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