While Dutch speed skaters had won many allround titles, it was not until 1998 that a Dutch skater won the World Sprint Championships. Jan Bos took the title in 1998 in Berlin, in the same hall where he had won the World Junior Championships in 1994. Although he could never repeat his victory, he remained a top sprinter for over a decade, especially in the 1000 m. He won Olympic silver medals in that distance in both 1998 and 2002, losing out to a non-favoured compatriot on both occasions. In 1999, he won the 1000 m world title, while collecting four more distance medals over the years. Jan Bos also won six Dutch sprint titles, collected 10 Dutch distance wins, and twice bettered the 1000 m World Record. Bos also made a brief sidestep to track cycling, joining his brother and sprint World Champion Theo Bos as a member of the Dutch team sprint squad.

Personal Bests: 500 – 34.72 (2002); 1000 – 1:07.20 (2009); 1500 – 1:44.87 (2007); 5000 – 6:46.59 (2001); 10000 – 15:23.18 (1993).