The Dutch men’s long track speed skating team did not secure any medals in the 5,000 meter event at the Milan Olympics, with Sander Eitrem of Norway claiming the gold medal and setting a new Olympic record.
According to NOS Schaatsen, the best Dutch finisher was Chris Huizinga, who placed seventh with a time of 6:11.58. The 23-year-old Norwegian Sander Eitrem won the gold in 6:03.95, improving the Olympic record in the process. No Dutch skaters reached the podium, continuing a pattern observed throughout the season where Dutch performances on this distance have been modest. Huizinga’s fifth place finish at a World Cup event was the highlight for the Netherlands prior to the Games.
Other Dutch competitors included Stijn van de Bunt, who finished ninth with 6:12.94, and Merijn Scheperkamp Bosker in twelfth place at 6:17.47. Eitrem, who had recently set a world record and is the reigning world champion in the 5,000 meters, demonstrated his status as the favorite by maintaining strong form and speed throughout the race. This was Eitrem’s Olympic debut, and he is scheduled to compete later in the Games in the 10,000 and 1,500 meter events.
The 5,000 meter event has featured intense competition this season, with the world record broken twice. In November, Frenchman Timothy Loubineaud narrowly missed going under six minutes with 6:00.23, and Eitrem’s later achievement of 5:58.52 marked the first time the distance was completed in under six minutes. Young skater Metodej Jilek, aged 19 from the Czech Republic, has also emerged as a strong contender, winning a World Cup race in Hamar and taking silver medals in Inzell and Salt Lake City. Jilek had previously set a world record in the 3,000 meters, a distance not contested in major competitions for men, signaling his potential on the ice.
Among other top competitors, Italy’s Davide Ghiotto, favored for a medal, finished just off the podium in fourth place with 6:09.57. The decisive moments came during the penultimate heat between Jilek and Eitrem. Despite a brief slip early on, Eitrem quickly regained control and gradually pulled ahead of the young Czech skater, who only conceded defeat two laps before the finish. Loubineaud, starting last, was unable to surpass their times, finishing fifth.
Early Dutch starters faced challenges against strong international opponents. Bosker competed in the first heat against German Gabriel Gross, who maintained a lead throughout the race. Van de Bunt, making his Olympic debut, posted consistent lap times before tiring near the end. At that point, local favorite Riccardo Lorello recorded a time of 6:09.22 to take the lead temporarily. Huizinga followed with a solid race but could not displace Lorello from first place before the final heats, where Eitrem and Jilek set the fastest times. Lorello ultimately secured the bronze medal, while Dutch skaters remained off the podium.
