Sven Kramer, a Dutchman, has set an Olympic record in the 5,000 meter speed skating competition, nabbing a gold medal in the process.
Kramer's six minutes and 14.60 seconds barely eked out Jochem Uytdehaage's 2002 record in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Defending champion Chad Hedrik, an American, jumped off to a poor start and finished in 11th place. Fellow American Shani Davis finished behind Hedrick at 12.
Kramer, 23, is far from finished at the games, hoping to emerge the victor in the 10,000m and team pursuit skating competition. If he nabs golds in those events, it will be the first time a speedskater has done so during Olympic Games since the 1994 event
The Dutch have won 76 of 79 possible gold medals in speedskating.
