Jan Dijkema


Jan Dijkema is a Dutch politician, sociologist and sports director.

Career

Dijkema studied sociology at the University of Groningen and was the youngest director in Dutch politics at the age of 32 in 1978. In the province of Overijssel he was then a representative on behalf of the PvdA, where he was confronted with the restructuring of Twente after the textile crisis: We were able to do a lot with European funds. In addition, Dijkema was closely involved in financing the IJsbaan Twente as a member of the recommendation committee. In 1994 he exchanged politics for skating as a vice-president at the Royal Dutch Skating Association. In that capacity, he became a representative at the International Skating Union. From 1994 to 2010 he held the position of ISU board member. In 2010, he became vice president of speeding at ISU with the track roller skating and short track disciplines in the portfolio.
In 2016 Dijkema was elected president of the International Skating Union during the congress in Dubrovnik as successor to the retiring Italian Ottavio Cinquanta. His term was extended by four years in June 2018.