Denis Yuskov was among the gold medal winners as competition began ©Getty Images

Russia's Denis Yuskov was among the winners on the opening day of the European Single Distance Speed Skating Championships in Kolomna.

Yuskov, who still does not know if he is eligible for next month's Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, excelled on home ice at the Moscow Region Speed Skating Centre to win the men's 1,500 metres.

The Russian triumphed in 1:44.53 to defeat Dutch duo Thomas Krol and Koen Verweij.

Krol finished 0.67 seconds behind with Verweij 1.87 seconds behind the winner.

Yuskov has been cleared of any involvement in the Russian doping scandal at Sochi 2014 but must still be cleared to compete as part of a neutral "Olympic Athletes from Russia"  team by an IOC-commissioned panel.

There were also two Dutch gold medals on the first day of competition.

A superb final lap powered Lotte van Beek to the women's 1,500m title in 1:55.52.

Yekaterina Shikhova of Russia finished second in 1:56.57 and Marritt Leenstra of The Netherlands was third in 1:56.58.

Lotte van Beek was among two Dutch gold medallists on the opening day of competition ©Getty Images
Lotte van Beek was among two Dutch gold medallists on the opening day of competition ©Getty Images

Ronald Mulder also skated a near-perfect race to win the men's 500m in 34.80 seconds.

Mike Poutala of Finland finished second, 0.05 seconds behind, while Pavel Kulizhnikov of Russia clocked a time just four thousandths of a second slower for bronze.

Vanessa Herzog of Austria won the other gold medal of the day in the women's 500m event.

The 22-year-old was the only entrant to break the 38-second barrier as she clocked 37.69 seconds.

Angelina Golikova of Russia took silver in 38.04 and Karolina Erbanova of Czech Republic took bronze in 38.18.

Action will continue tomorrow.