Paulien van Deutekom

Paulien van Deutekom (4 February 1981 – 2 January 2019) was a Dutch former champion speed skater. She was in the middle long distances, over 1000 and 1500 metres. She was born in The Hague. 
At the 1500 metres distance she finished in second position and qualified for the 2006 Winter Olympics. In March 2008 Van Deutekom finished second at the World Single Distance Championships in Nagano on the 1500 meters and the 3000 meters. In March 2012 Van Deutekom announced after the 1500 meter event at the World Cup in Heerenveen that she was ending her skating career.
On 2 January 2019, Van Deutekom died from lung cancer in The Hague, aged 37.