Irene Karlijn (Ireen) Wüst is a Dutch former long track speed skater of German ancestry. Wüst became the most successful speed skating Olympian ever by achieving at least one gold medal in each of five consecutive Winter Olympic appearances. Wüst is also the only athlete to win an individual gold medal in five consecutive Olympics, Summer or Winter.

The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Women since 1970, but they were discontinued after the 1974 tournament because of lack of interest. The European Championships for Women were reinstated in 1981.