text: Falko Zandstra (born 1971), a former Dutch speed skater, silver medallist at the 1992 Winter Olympics and bronze medallist the 1994 Winter Olympics
  Carien Kleibeuker (born 1978) a Dutch long-distance speed skater, bronze medallist at the 2014 Winter Olympics
  Epke Zonderland (born 1986), a gymnast and gold medallist at the 2012 Summer Olympics
  Sven Kramer (born 1986), long track speed skater, three time Olympic champion in the 5000 meters
  Vladislav Bykanov (born 1989) an Israeli Olympic short track speed skater, lives in Heerenveen
  Sanne Wevers (born 1991), an artistic gymnast, gold medallist at the 2016 Summer Olympics
  Antoinette de Jong (born 1995) a Dutch speed skater, bronze medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics
  Lisa Top (born 1996), a Dutch artistic gymnast
  Aafke Soet (born 1997), former short track speed skater, now cyclist
  Yasser Seirawan (born 1960), American/Syrian chess grandmaster and champion known for his books and commentary on chess games,
  Andries Noppert (born 1994), Dutch National Team Goalkeeper World Cup 2022.
  Anna-Maja Kazarian (born 7 January 2000), a Dutch chess player who holds the titles of FIDE Master (FM) and Woman International Master.
  Twin cities
  Heereveen's longstanding connection with Rishon LeZion, Israel ended in 2016 after the supporting organizations shut down in both countries.