The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have commenced with the opening ceremony and the start of speed skating events involving the Dutch team and other notable athletes.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, provides detailed daily updates on the Olympic events and the Dutch team’s participation.
The Olympic Games in Milan progressed on February 7 with the women’s 3000 meter speed skating event marking the opening of the skating competitions. The program featured notable matchups, including a race between Marijke Groenewoud and Norwegian Ragne Wiklund, as well as Joy Beune competing against Canadian Isabelle Weidemann.
During the opening ceremony, the Dutch delegation entered the San Siro stadium with short track speed skater Jens van ‘t Wout serving as the flag bearer. The Dutch team appeared 66th among participating nations, with skeleton athlete Kimberley Bos leading the delegation in Cortina d’Ampezzo. A total of 38 Dutch athletes were present at the Games, alongside royal family members.
The ceremony was distinctive this year, held simultaneously at four venues with the primary event in Milan’s San Siro stadium. The production included performances by artists such as Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Laura Pausini. Actress Sabrina Impacciatore played an important role in the ceremonies. Twenty-six Dutch athletes, including sixteen speed skaters like Kjeld Nuis, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, and Jens van ‘t Wout, participated in the parade of athletes.
In addition to the current athletes, Dutch skating legends also traveled to Milan. Former Olympians such as Carry Geijssen, Peter Nottet, Bob de Jong, Renate Groenewold, Jorien ter Mors, Sjinkie Knegt, Yara van Kerkhof, Thomas Krol, Sven Kramer, and Ireen Wüst were present as honored guests. Twenty years after his first Winter Olympics, Sven Kramer participated in opening the TeamNL House at Superstudio Più, an event attended by 36 Olympic and Paralympic medalists symbolizing decades of Dutch winter sports achievements.
The Staatsloterij, a Dutch lottery organization and sponsor, revealed a large commemorative banner featuring all Dutch Olympic and Paralympic medalists in the Winter Games, highlighting the country’s rich history in winter sports.
