Nils van der Poel's competitors will find it easier to fight for the medals from next season.

But despite the fact that the world's best at the moment is now saying goodbye to the sport, the Swede's competitor agrees that it's a shame that he quits.

- He is a fantastic guy, says the Olympic bronze medalist, the Italian Davide Ghiotto who ran 10,000 meters in the same heat as Nils during the Olympics.

- It was completely crazy during the Olympics.

I tried to keep his pace, but it was impossible for me to keep up.

He is a strong athlete.

Ghiotto, like many others in the skating world, has seen van der Poel's training document and believes that it would have been impossible for him to carry out a similar program.

- To train like this for four years is very tough.

For me, it is impossible.

It's crazy.

Doing the things he does is impossible for a normal person.

"Sad"

Belgian Bart Swings believes that van der Poel has overwhelmed the skating world with his speed - and kindness.

- It's sad that he quits.

It has been great to have him close and we will miss him.

He's a fun guy to have around.

Ted-Jan Bloemen was the holder of the world record before van der Poel beat it last year and believes that Nils van der Poel has taken the sport to a new level.

- I appreciate talking to him.

He is a nice guy who has a different background and a different way of approaching the sport.

He does not have a boxed pattern, or a box that he is thinking in. For him, that box does not exist.

CLIP: Nils van der Poel ends his career

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Nils van der Poel Photo: Bildbyrån