Ning Zhongyan Strikes Gold in Milan, Sets Olympic Record
Milan, Italy – Ning Zhongyan of China captured the gold medal in the men’s 1500m speed skating event at the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics early Thursday, February 20, 2026. His winning time not only secured the top spot on the podium but also established a fresh Olympic record in the event.
The victory marks a significant achievement for the Chinese speed skating program, building on a strong showing at the Games. Ning Zhongyan, born November 3, 1999, in Ning’an City, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, has been a rising star in the sport, having begun speed skating at the age of 11 and joining the Chinese national team in 2018.
Ning’s performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he finished fifth in the men’s 1000m, was the best result for a Chinese skater in that event since 1994. He further demonstrated his leadership by serving as the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on February 6, 2026, alongside short track speed skater Zhang Chutong.
Prior to his Olympic triumph, Ning Zhongyan had already established himself as a force on the World Cup circuit. He achieved a historic first for China in the 2019-2020 season, winning the 1500m race in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. He also secured a silver medal in the team pursuit at the Tomaszów Mazowiecki station in Poland, and silver medals in both the 1000m and team pursuit at the Minsk station in Belarus. He continued his success with a 1500m victory in Calgary, Canada, and a silver medal in the 1500m at the World Cup final.
In the 2020-2021 season, Ning added further accolades, winning the 1500m in Stavanger, Norway, and the 1000m in Calgary. He also earned silver medals in the 1500m at both Tomaszów Mazowiecki and Salt Lake City. He also claimed a gold medal in the team pursuit at the 2020 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Salt Lake City and a gold medal in the 1000m at the 2024 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Calgary. He also achieved a strong overall result at the 2024 World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in Inzell.
Ning Zhongyan also secured a gold medal in the 1500m at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin. This latest gold medal in Milan solidifies his position as a leading figure in men’s speed skating and signals a bright future for the Chinese team.
