February 12, 2026
Xandra Velzeboer sets a new world record en route to gold medal in the women’s 500 metres
Dutch skaters doubled up in the short track at the Olympics on Thursday as Xandra Velzeboer took the women’s 500 metres gold and compatriot Jens van ‘t Wout snatched the men’s 1000 metres crown in a tight finish.
Velzeboer, who had set a world record in the semi-final, denied reigning champion Arianna Fontana a hat-trick in the event, as the Italian had to settle for silver.
See Also: Courtney Sarault wins the Women’s 1500m at ISU Short Track
With 13 medals across six Games, Fontana is now tied with fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, who competed at five Olympics from 1936 to 1960, for the most Olympic medals by an Italian athlete.
Velzeboer led from the start of the race ahead of Fontana, a gold medallist at the previous two Games in Beijing and Pyeongchang over the 500 metres distance. Canadian Courtney Sarault came third.
“This is the best day of my life. It’s amazing. It’s been my goal for the last four years, maybe for my entire life,” Velzeboer, 24, told reporters.
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ISU Short Track returns to Montreal a fortnight after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan wrap up, to take part in the ISU Short Track World Championships, which take place from March 13th to March 15th, 2026, at the iconic Maurice-Richard Arena.
Tickets are available here
