The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games showcased remarkable performances in speed skating, featuring multiple new Olympic records, notable firsts, and memorable victories across fourteen medal events.
Source: The detailed report is available on the International Skating Union’s official website: ISU Skating (International)
The Games featured 34 different medal winners in speed skating, including team events, and seven new Olympic records. Among the highlights was Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy, who became the first female Italian champion in long track speed skating by winning the 3000 meters on her 35th birthday, followed by a victory in the 5000 meters four days later. Lollobrigida acknowledged her team’s support and expressed her hope that her achievements will inspire future generations.
At 40 years old, Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands emerged as the oldest Olympic champion in long track speed skating by winning gold in the men’s mass start event. Bergsma completed his medal collection in the 10,000 meters, adding a bronze medal at these Games to his previous gold in 2014 and bronze in 2018. Reflecting on his win, he called it a privilege and left open the possibility of competing again in the next Winter Olympics.
Metodej Jílek from Czechia won the men’s 10,000 meters event, becoming the second-youngest male Olympic champion in this distance and the first male Czech skater to secure an Olympic title in long track speed skating. He follows the legacy of former Czech speed skating star Martina Sáblíková, who retired after six Olympic appearances, concluding the Games under challenging circumstances due to illness.
Jordan Stolz from the United States set two Olympic records during the championships, in the men’s 500 meters and 1000 meters events, breaking a 24-year-old record previously held by Gerard van Velde of the Netherlands. Stolz was the most decorated individual speed skater of the event with two gold medals and one silver, while other top individual performers included Lollobrigida, Valérie Maltais of Canada, and Ning Zhongyan of China.
The Netherlands topped the speed skating medal table with five golds, six silvers, and two bronzes. Italy and the United States followed in second and third place respectively. Italy also won the men’s team pursuit gold, marking a significant anniversary since their first Olympic success in the discipline 20 years earlier. China earned its first Olympic medal in the men’s team pursuit event in long track speed skating by winning bronze.
This edition of the Games marked many national milestones and record-breaking performances, underscoring the event’s status as a global showcase for speed skating talent. The competition also featured 164 athletes from 22 countries, with an equal representation of men and women.
