Born in 1873 Groningen, Netherlands, Eden was raised by his grandparents and had spent majority of his childhood playing sports. 

In his childhood itself, a retired Dutch skater had seen the 15-year-old Eden practicing and thought he had a lot of potential. After three years of preparation and wins at amateur competitions, he finally made his international debut in 1893.

As per Google description, Eden won his first world title in 1893 at the World Allround Speed Skating Championships. After his first world title, in 1894, Eden broke two skating world records which included 5-kilometer race which stood for 17 years. He had also earned two more skating world titles in Hamar and St. Petersburg.

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Despite his most competitive level skating training, Eden also found time to practice and race in another sport he loved – cycling. This was proved after he won the cycling world championship that same year and later also set a world record in the 1,000-meter cycling race.

Until 1902, Eden skated and cycled, however, he retired once his performance began to decline.

In his honour, in 1961, Amsterdam also opened Jaap Eden Ice Rink, the biggest indoor-outdoor skating rink in the country and also home to the hockey team the Amsterdam Tigers. 

Ten years later, the Netherlands also named Dutch Sportsman of the Year award after Eden, as per Google description. It also states that Eden till this time ranks as one of the most iconic Dutch athletes, and his legacy continues to inspire skaters and cyclists around the world.

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Updated: 19 Oct 2023, 06:35 AM IST