New facilities to host international speed skating events will be built in Almere rather than Friesland after objectors lost their appeals for a rethink.

Two other initiatives – including the Thialf stadium in Heerenveen where top level skating is currently based – wanted the Dutch skating union to reconsider its plans.

‘But after careful consideration, the objections were rejected,’ a skating union spokesman said. In particular, objectors say there are concerns about the Almere Icedome stadium’s financial viability.

Friesland province says it will still press ahead with its plans to build a new international stadium. Several top skaters, including Sven Kramer, have called for the skating association to leave the sport in Friesland.