The 2026 Winter Olympics officially commenced with the opening ceremony held at the San Siro stadium in Milan, where shorttrack speed skater Jens van ’t Wout carried the Dutch flag leading the TeamNL delegation.
According to Schaatsen.nl, the Dutch team entered the stadium as the 66th country in the parade of nations, while skeleton athlete Kimberley Bos led the Netherlands’ representation in the simultaneous opening event in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In total, 38 Dutch athletes are competing at these Games, with members of the Dutch royal family among the spectators.
The opening ceremonies for Milan-Cortina 2026 took place simultaneously at four different venues, with Milan hosting the main event. Highlights included musical performances from internationally renowned artists such as Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Laura Pausini, accompanied by actress Sabrina Impacciatore in a significant role. The Dutch delegation included 26 athletes participating in the parade, featuring 16 speed skaters like Kjeld Nuis, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, and flagbearer Jens van ’t Wout.
The first speed skating event, the women’s 3000 meters, is scheduled for February 7 at 16:00 local time. The competition will start with Merel Conijn in the opening pair. A notable matchup will be in the ninth race, where Marijke Groenewoud faces Norwegian skater Ragne Wiklund, who is in excellent form. The event will conclude with Joy Beune competing against Canadian Isabelle Weidemann in the final race.
Earlier on the day of the opening ceremony, several Dutch skating legends gathered at Schiphol Airport ahead of their voyage to Milan. The group includes pioneer Olympians such as Carry Geijssen and Peter Nottet from the 1968 Grenoble Games, as well as more recent stars like Bob de Jong, Renate Groenewold, Jorien ter Mors, Sjinkie Knegt, Yara van Kerkhof, Thomas Krol, and Sven Kramer, who is attending twenty years after his first Winter Olympics. This assembly of 36 Olympic and Paralympic medalists represents decades of Dutch success in winter sports and will serve as honorary guests during the Games. Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst will lead the group in opening the Staatsloterij TeamNL House located in Superstudio Più.
During the morning at the Sheraton Airport Hotel, the Staatsloterij unveiled a large 20-meter banner commemorating all Dutch Olympic and Paralympic medal winners from the Winter Games, paying tribute to the country’s lasting achievements in elite winter sports. Additional updates are available on the official website.
