MILAN, Italy — In a historic display of tactical precision and late-race speed, the Netherlands captured their first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s 5,000-metre short track relay on Friday, 20 February 2026. The victory at the Milano Ice Skating Arena marks a definitive shift in the sport’s hierarchy as the Dutch “Express” overcame traditional powerhouses to reach the top of the podium.
The Dutch quartet, led by Jens van ‘t Wout—who secured his third gold medal of these Games—executed a perfectly timed surge in the final laps of the 45-lap race. The Netherlands finished ahead of the Republic of Korea, who took the silver medal, while the host nation, Italy, delighted the home crowd by securing the bronze.
Canadian Heartbreak in Milan
Team Canada, featuring the veteran lineup of William Dandjinou, Steven Dubois, Félix Roussel, and Maxime Laoun, entered the final with high expectations. The Canadians took an aggressive early lead, controlling the pace for the first half of the race. However, as the intensity ramped up in the closing stages, Canada was unable to hold off the charging Dutch and Korean skaters, ultimately finishing outside the medal positions. Despite the relay result, Canada concludes the Milano Cortina 2026 short track program with a respectable haul of five total medals.
Race Highlights and Results
The final was a masterclass in short track strategy, characterized by high-speed exchanges and tight cornering. While the “A Final” determined the podium, the “B Final” saw China take the top spot with a time of 6:49.894.
| Rank | Nation | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | Gold |
| 2 | Republic of Korea | Silver |
| 3 | Italy | Bronze |
The world record for the event remains at 6:28.625, but the tactical nature of the Olympic final prioritized positioning over raw time. For the Netherlands, this gold medal completes a dominant showing in Milan, particularly for Van ‘t Wout, who has emerged as the breakout star of the 2026 Winter Games.
Short track speed skating competition concludes today, with the focus now shifting to the closing ceremonies of the Milano Cortina Games scheduled for 22 February.