On February 12, 2026, Dutch athletes participated in the women’s 5000 meters long track speed skating event and short track competitions during the Winter Olympics in Milan.
schaatsen.nl, a Netherlands-based news outlet specializing in skating sports, provides detailed coverage of the events.
The women’s 5000 meters race featured two Dutch skaters: Bente Kerkhoff and Merel Conijn, both representing Team NL. Kerkhoff, who finished second at the Olympic Qualification Tournament and also competes in the mass start, skated in the second pair against Marina Zueva, a Belarusian athlete competing under a neutral flag. Merel Conijn, the reigning Dutch champion and winner of the qualification tournament, was seen as having the strongest potential for a medal. She competed in the fourth pair against Belgium’s Sandrine Tas. Dutch athletes have historically dominated this event, with Esmee Visser winning gold in 2018 and Irene Schouten in 2022, raising anticipation of potentially a third consecutive Dutch victory.
In short track, the women’s 500 meters included quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. Dutch skaters Xandra Velzeboer, Michelle Velzeboer, and Selma Poutsma represented their country in this discipline. Male short track athletes competed in the 1000 meters, where Jens van ’t Wout and Teun Boer took part. These events provided new opportunities for the Dutch short track team to achieve podium finishes.
The previous day’s competitions featured notable performances as well. Jenning de Boo secured a silver medal in the men’s 1000 meters, finishing behind American speed skater Jordan Stolz. Meanwhile, Joep Wennemars, the world champion at 1000 meters, was unexpectedly impeded during his race due to a blocking move by a Chinese competitor, which affected his chances of medaling.
Comprehensive results, pairings, and updates for all long track and short track events during the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics remain available on the official event program page. Dutch fans and followers of speed skating can stay informed via dedicated service channels and live blogs.
