Dutch Short Track Speed Skater Jens van ‘t Wout Dominates Milan Olympics
Jens van ‘t Wout of the Netherlands is having a historic run at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, securing his second gold medal in the men’s 1500m on Saturday. This follows his earlier victory in the 1000m, marking the first time a Dutch man has won Olympic gold in that event. The Milan Cortina Olympics have quickly become a showcase for the rising star, who already has two gold medals to his name.
Van ‘t Wout navigated a crowded and chaotic 1500m final, finishing in a time of 2 minutes, 12.219 seconds. Hwang Dae-Heon of South Korea took silver, while Roberts Kruszbergs earned Latvia’s first-ever Olympic short track medal with a bronze finish. The race featured an unusually large field of nine skaters due to a series of penalties and crashes in the semifinals.
The 24-year-old’s success extends beyond individual glory, as he shared the podium with his brother, Melle van ‘t Wout, in the men’s 500m event on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Melle van ‘t Wout claimed silver in that race, with Steven Dubois of Canada taking gold and Jens van ‘t Wout securing bronze. The brothers’ shared moment was described by Jens as feeling “like he won the lottery.”
The Netherlands has been a force in short track speed skating at these Games, claiming three of the four gold medals awarded so far. This success builds upon the nation’s already strong tradition in long track speed skating. The Dutch team’s performance is creating a “snowball effect,” according to reports, and solidifying their position as a dominant force in the sport.
The Dutch relay team as well ended a long-standing “trauma” by winning gold in the event, a victory that was particularly meaningful for Niels, according to sources.
According to Wikipedia, van ‘t Wout is now a three-time Olympic champion, adding to his growing list of accomplishments. He also secured a bronze medal in the 500m event.
