"I do have faith in my own abilities," insisted Dutch speed skating icon Sven Kramer back in October. 

No one can doubt the motivation and determination of the 35-year-old, who is the most decorated male Olympic speed skater of all time with nine medals. But an operation in May to fix a back injury put Kramer in danger of missing out on a place at the 2022 Winter Olympics. 

After being sidelined for quite a while, the hopes of the four-time Olympic champion of securing a direct berth at the Beijing Games were dashed with a hugely disappointing third place in the 5,000m at the Dutch national Olympics trials on Sunday. Kramer posted a time of 6 minutes and 12.29 seconds, behind Patrick Roest (6:08.64) and Jorrit Bergsma (6:11.14).

The setback meant that Kramer could only squeeze into the Olympics if the Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) was willing to make an exception in his case. "I can be useful for the team pursuit event and do a good 5,000m," pleaded Kramer after the trials. The message was loud and clear: he is eager to represent the Netherlands at his fifth Winter Olympics and cap a wonderful career with another medal. 

A day later, the KNSB responded, announcing that Kramer will be back in Beijing in February to defend his Olympic title. As well as competing in the 5,000m where he dominated in the last three Olympics, Kramer will also feature in the team pursuit event alongside Marcel Bosker and Roest, and the mass start event.  

Kramer's inclusion means that Dai Dai N'tab and Tijmen Snel, ranked higher in the selection standings, missed the cut. 

"Personally I think it is terrible for Dai Dai and Tijmen that they are losing their place," KNSB technical director Remy de Wit told a press briefing. "The most important objective that we have agreed as the KNSB is that we want to maximize the chances of [gold] medals." 

"By appointing Sven and Marcel for the team pursuit, we increase this chance considerably. We have become world champions three times in a row in this part, with these three men as a permanent core. We expect to meet our objective with this team," he added. 

Meanwhile, Ireen Wust, who is the country's most decorated Olympian with five gold medals and four silvers, will lead a team of nine female Dutch speed skaters in Beijing as she heads to her fifth Winter Games.