Velzeboer Strikes Gold, Netherlands Climbs Medals Table at Winter Olympics
The Netherlands secured its fourth short track gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Monday, February 16, thanks to a stunning performance by Xandra Velzeboer in the 1000-meter final. This victory propelled the Dutch team to third place in the overall medals standings, briefly surpassing the United States before falling back to fourth.
Velzeboer’s gold medal haul didn’t stop at the 1000m. She similarly claimed victory in the 500 meters, setting a new world record in the semi-finals. This remarkable achievement marks a significant moment for the Dutch short track team, solidifying their dominance in the sport.
The Dutch team’s success in short track speed skating has been a highlight of the Winter Olympics so far. They previously won gold in the 3,000-meter relay at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, and have continued to build on that success in Milan.
Velzeboer’s impressive medal count at major championships includes gold medals in the 3,000m relay at the 2021 Dordrecht World Championships, the 500m at the 2022 Montreal World Championships, and the 500m and 1000m at the 2023 Seoul World Championships. She also secured a gold medal in the 3000m relay at the 2024 Rotterdam World Championships and the 500m at the 2025 Beijing World Championships.
Beyond her World Championship successes, Velzeboer has also excelled at the European Championships, winning multiple medals in the 3000m relay and 2000m mixed relay events. Most recently, she added gold medals in the 500m and 1000m at the 2026 Tilburg European Championships.
The Netherlands’ strong showing at the Winter Olympics is a testament to the country’s commitment to short track speed skating and the dedication of athletes like Xandra Velzeboer. The team will gaze to continue their success as the games progress.
In other news from the games, Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater known as “Quad God,” will make a return to the ice in Milan for the closing demonstration on February 21, despite a disappointing finish in the individual final. Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won gold in the pairs figure skating event, while the United States regained the third position on the medals table.
