At the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, speed skating showcases a wide generational range, featuring the oldest long-track competitor, Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands, alongside the youngest skaters Lim Leewon and Cho Seungmin of South Korea.
According to the International Skating Union (ISU) website based in Switzerland, Jorrit Bergsma, born on February 1, 1986, is the most senior athlete on the ice. Bergsma’s early skating experiences on natural ice and at the Thialf rink in Heerenveen laid the foundation for a distinguished career. Since debuting internationally in the 2010/11 season, he has accumulated several accolades, including Olympic medals—a bronze in the 5000m and gold in the 10,000m at Sochi 2014—and multiple World Championship titles in long-distance events and mass start races. At 40 years old, Bergsma continues to compete in multiple events at the Olympics, including the 5000m, 10,000m, Mass Start, and potentially the Team Pursuit.
At the opposite end of the age spectrum are Lim Leewon and Cho Seungmin, both born on December 6, 2007, making them 18 years old and still eligible for junior competition. These promising South Korean athletes are among seven juniors participating in the games, alongside competitors from Germany, Austria, China, and France. Lim made a mark during the 2023/24 Junior World Cup season with a bronze medal in the 3000m and notable performances in the Mass Start events, as well as participation in the 2024 Youth Olympic Games. Cho also showed promise with a fourth-place finish at a Junior World Cup event and is now in his first senior season. Both young skaters are competing in the Mass Start event at the Milano Cortina Olympics, highlighting the blend of emerging talent and experienced athletes in the sport.
