Short Track: South Korea & Netherlands Win Gold – Milan-Cortina 2026
Milan, Italy played host to the final day of short track speed skating competitions at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Friday, February 20th, culminating in gold medal performances from South Korea’s Kim Gil-li and the Netherlands’ men’s 5,000m relay team.
Kim Gil-li Secures Second Olympic Gold
Kim Gil-li dominated the women’s 1,500 metres, securing her second gold medal of the Games. Throughout the early laps, Kim strategically positioned herself within the pack before accelerating with five laps remaining to move into third place.
With two laps to go, Kim overtook her compatriot, Choi Min-jeong, and maintained her lead to finish with a time of 2 minutes and 32.076 seconds. Choi Min-jeong claimed the silver medal, while Corinne Stoddard of the United States earned bronze.
“I guess for myself, I am strongest in 1,500 metres, and I really wanted to get gold,” Kim stated after the race. “So, I am super ecstatic about it. And being able to claim gold in such a stage like the Olympics is something that I am very happy about.”
Dutch Dominate Men’s 5,000m Relay
The Netherlands showcased their strength in the men’s 5,000m relay, taking the lead with seven laps remaining and extending their advantage to win in a time of 6 minutes and 51.847 seconds. South Korea finished second, followed by Italy in third.
Jens van’t Wout of the Netherlands, who collected three gold medals and one bronze at the Milan-Cortina Games, expressed his pride in the team’s performance. “I’m just so incredibly proud of the team we are here, the team we came to the Olympics with. We’ve never been this close as a team, and I think it really shows in our overall performance. And for me, I mean, I’ve never been happier.”
Chinese Team Finishes Strong, Faces Mixed Results
China’s Yang Jingru employed a drafting strategy in the women’s 1,500m, ultimately finishing fourth. Yang acknowledged the skill of her competitors, particularly Kim Gil-li, stating, “I learned a lot from those top-level skaters. They skate very smartly…But there’s still a gap between us – I just couldn’t match her acceleration. I hope I can surpass her in the next four years.”
Zhang Chutong also finished fourth in the women’s 1,500m final B. The Chinese men’s relay team, comprised of Sun Long, Liu Shaoang, Lin Xiaojun, and Zhang Bohao, secured first place in the final B race.
Incident in Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals saw a collision between Kamila Sellier of Poland, Arianna Fontana of Italy, and Kristen Santos-Griswold of the United States with six laps remaining. Sellier sustained a facial cut from Santos-Griswold’s blade and was removed from the ice on a stretcher.
Final Medal Count
The short track program at Milan-Cortina concluded with a total of nine gold medals awarded. The Netherlands led the medal table with five golds, followed by South Korea with two. Italy and Canada each secured one gold medal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event did Kim Gil-li win a gold medal in?
Kim Gil-li won a gold medal in the women’s 1,500 metres.
Which country won the most gold medals in short track speed skating at the Milan-Cortina Games?
The Netherlands won the most gold medals, with a total of five.
What happened during the quarterfinals of the women’s 1,500m?
Kamila Sellier of Poland, Arianna Fontana of Italy, and Kristen Santos-Griswold of the United States collided, resulting in an injury to Sellier.
As short track speed skating concludes at the Milan-Cortina Games, what lasting impact will these performances have on the athletes as they look toward future competitions?