Kok Claims Gold in 500m, Leerdam Takes Silver
Femke Kok secured the gold medal in the women’s 500-meter speed skating event at the Olympic Winter Games on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with Jutta Leerdam claiming the silver. The race was a highlight of day nine at the Milan-Cortina Games, drawing significant attention from fans and athletes alike.
Also competing for the Netherlands were Anna Boersma and Melissa Peperkamp, who were in action on the snow. Peperkamp and Romy van Vreden competed in the slopestyle snowboarding event, but unfortunately, neither qualified for the final. Peperkamp’s first run on Sunday came close to securing a final spot, but ultimately fell short.
The competition was fierce in the alpine skiing events as well, with skier Brignone preparing for the giant slalom after previously winning gold in the Super G.
In other events, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by winning the first gold medal for a South American country at the Winter Olympics, competing under the Brazilian flag.
The men’s team pursuit quarterfinals also took place, featuring Chris Huizinga, Marcel Bosker, and Stijn van de Bunt representing the Netherlands. Bondscoach Rintje Ritsma made the selection, notably excluding Jorrit Bergsma from the quarterfinal lineup.
