Former Skater Paulien van Deutekom (37) Died of Cancer Consequences
Former skater Paulien van Deutekom died at the age of 37. The 2008 world champion all-around has been experiencing lung cancer for quite some time. Born in The Hague from 1998 to 2012 was active in skating.
In 2008 she celebrated an enormous success of her career by becoming a world champion in all rounds in Berlin.
Van Deutekom was nominated that year for the title of Sportswoman of the Year but saw the title go to cyclist Marianne Vos. However, she became a Skater of the Year.
Van Deutekom never managed to repeat the successes from 2008. She won the national titles in 2009 at 1,000 and 1,500 meters, but there was little to celebrate globally. In 2012 she ended her career abruptly.
