Olympic gold medalist said he felt 'empty and tired' after his record-setting speed skating performance

• Nils van der Poel won the 5,000-meter speed skating event at the Winter Olympics.
• The Swedish star raced ahead of his closest rival in a gripping final lap.

Nils van der Poel sealed a gold medal at the ongoing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and said he felt "empty and tired" after Sunday's record-setting performance.

The Swedish athlete earned the Olympic title in the 5,000-meter speed skating event, edging ahead of race leader Patrick Roest in a gripping final lap.

Van der Poel celebrated his victory at the National Speed Skating Oval in animated fashion, but after whirlwind euphoria, he seemingly struggled to comprehend what he had accomplished.

"Right now I am quite empty and tired; I'll try to come up with something to say," Van der Poel said, according to CNN. "A few seconds ago, I was emotional.

"I cannot imagine performing like this in such a race. We knew nothing at the ice, and Patrick had a tough story. He had nothing to go on. I am really happy with how it turned out."

Reporters pressed van der Poel for his race analysis, but he said he could not remember much.

"I think it will be a poor description as I don't remember too much about it. It was a solid start, how I wanted it. I was keeping it steady and feeling confident halfway through the race.

"But then when the second 9.3 came up, I thought, 'Shit, I've got to go now.' I was launching for it, and it was the Olympic race; that was all I had."

Sweden currently tops the Winter Olympics medal chart with four golds, one silver, and one bronze.

They lead the Netherlands with three golds, three silvers, and one bronze.

Team USA is yet to return a gold, but has four silvers, one bronze, and lies in 17th place.