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A heartbreaking moment for William Dandjinou at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, as a single misstep cost the Canadian short track speed skater a shot at his first individual Olympic medal.
Dandjinou finished fourth in the 1000-meter final on Thursday, leaving him just off the podium.
The Canadian skater led for much of the race, but as the Netherlands’ Jens van ‘t Wout launched an attack with a lap and a half remaining, Dandjinou lost a crucial bit of speed. The pack quickly closed in during the final turn, with two competitors edging past him at the finish line.
Van ‘t Wout ultimately took gold, followed by China’s Sun Long and South Korea’s Rim Jongun.
“It’s a small mistake that was extremely costly. (…) I was well-positioned and I can’t blame myself too much. It still sucks,” Dandjinou said, visibly disappointed.
“That’s also the beauty of the sport,” he added when asked if the outcome felt particularly cruel. “I’m not dwelling on it too much.”
Dandjinou entered the Games as a strong favorite, having won the overall World Cup title twice. He was expected to contend for a medal in all three individual distances at Milan-Cortina.
Even as Dandjinou remained composed, Canadian team head coach Marc Gagnon acknowledged his skater’s frustration.
“Tonight, he’s disappointed due to the fact that he didn’t win a medal. But his maneuver to try and block Jens, to go all-out and try to win… he could have gotten the bronze,” Gagnon explained. “A lot of skaters who were inactive during the final benefited from that. It was a bit unlucky as well.”
“He wants to win. He hates to lose. He doesn’t like being second or third,” Gagnon added about Dandjinou.
The “Canadian Flyer” will have two more opportunities to medal individually, starting Saturday in the 1500m.
“I realize that in speed skating, there are ups and downs. That’s why I’m still calm today,” the 24-year-ancient from Montreal insisted. “My Olympic Games don’t end today. I’ll bounce back in 48 hours.”
“Four years ago, I didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games. I’ve bounced back throughout my sporting career,” Dandjinou recalled.
Roussel Disappointed with Result
Félix Roussel finished fifth in the B final, placing 10th overall.
The 24-year-old from Sherbrooke was visibly frustrated after failing to reach the A final.
“I knew I had the legs,” Roussel said. “I felt all day that Will and I could have dominated the final. I could already witness it happening. That’s what hurts today. And to see his final, to see he was so close to the podium… that’s tough.”
Roussel had dominated his quarterfinal heat and appeared to be in solid position during his semi-final. Van ‘t Wout passed him with two laps to go, and Roussel lost some speed before being slightly pushed in the back by China’s Liu Shaoang, causing him to lose his balance.
“I wanted to regain my position and my blades slipped,” Roussel explained.
Attempting to avoid colliding with the pack in the turn, Roussel briefly regained his footing to slow down, but inadvertently clipped a cameraman on the ice.
“I went to ask before the final if he was okay. I was a little scared. That’s short track,” Roussel exclaimed.
The short track speed skating competition continues Saturday with qualifying for the 1000m and the semi-finals of the women’s 3000m relay. Medals will be awarded in the men’s 1500m later in the day.
