The speed skating events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan concluded on February 21 with mass start races for both men and women, marking the final competition day of the tournament.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, reported on the schedule and outcomes of the last day.
On the final day of the Olympic speed skating program, the men’s mass start race took place at 3:00 p.m., followed by the women’s race at 3:50 p.m. The mass start events featured 16 laps along with intermediate sprints and a decisive final sprint, providing an exciting conclusion to the skating competitions. Representing the Netherlands, Jorrit Bergsma and Stijn van de Bunt competed in the men’s race, while Marijke Groenewoud and Bente Kerkhoff skated in the women’s event.
Earlier in the Olympic tournament, the Dutch team had notable successes. On day 14, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong secured Olympic gold in the 1500 meters, reinforcing her status among the world’s top skaters despite a race that was not without its challenges. Additionally, the Dutch men’s short track relay team won gold, ending a longstanding pattern without gold medals in that event by executing a tactically strong performance.
These final mass start races closed the chapter on the speed skating competitions at the Milan 2026 Games. Dutch fans and international audiences witnessed a program characterized by strategic racing, endurance, and national victories.
