A number of speed skaters will be making their Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, with competitors ranging from young newcomers to seasoned athletes finally achieving their dream of competing at the Olympics.
According to ISU Skating, some athletes are entering the Olympics at a young age, while others have taken a longer, more challenging path to reach this stage. Qualification to the 2026 Games represents a significant milestone for all debutants.
One of the most notable debutants is Dutch skater Joy Beune, aged 26, who has already won multiple World titles but is only now competing at the Olympic level. Despite missing out on qualifying for the 2022 Games in Beijing and narrowly failing to qualify for the 1500m event this season, Beune secured a spot in the 3000m and will also participate in the Team Pursuit event. Veteran Japanese skater Miho Takagi, who debuted as a teenager in 2010, commented on the uniqueness of Olympic competition and the importance of appreciating the experience.
Norway’s Sander Eitrem, turning 24 during the Games, is another debutant drawing attention after breaking the six-minute barrier in the 5000m race, becoming the first man to do so. Many of his rivals in the long-distance events, including competitors from the Czech Republic, Poland, France, and the Netherlands, are also Olympic newcomers. Notably, Timothy Loubineaud from France and compatriots Chris Huizinga and Stijn van de Bunt from the Netherlands will be part of the field.
Youthful talents across the sport include 18-year-old Finn Sonnekalb of Germany, who has already established himself at the senior World Cup level after winning multiple medals and setting a junior world record. Other debutants include Lee Na-Hyun from South Korea, Serena Pergher from Italy, Jenning de Boo and Joep Wennemars from the Netherlands, and Cooper McLeod from the United States. In contrast, American Jordan Stolz, who made his Olympic debut in 2022 at age 17, is a leading contender in Milan but is not a newcomer.
