Dutch Athlete Secures Second Gold; Polish Competitor Still in Medal Hunt

During the Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina 2026, events unfolded dramatically in the short track skating competitions on Monday. The women’s 1000 meters and the men’s 500 meters eliminations were highly anticipated. Although three Polish athletes participated, the day brought mixed results.

Struggles for Polish Athletes

The first Polish athlete to compete was Gabriela Topolska in the women’s quarterfinals. Facing tough competitors like Arianna Fontana, Kim Boutin, Choi Minjeong, and Chiara Betti, Topolska encountered significant challenges. After a collision with Betti, she fell behind and ultimately finished last, which ended her journey in the event.

Men’s 500 Meters Eliminations

• Felix Pigeon performed well, securing a second-place finish in his race, which guaranteed his advancement to the quarterfinals.
• Michał Niewiński faced difficulties and finished third in his heat. Despite a decent time, he failed to qualify due to the unfortunate outcomes in other heats.

Niewiński’s elimination marked the end of his participation, as other competitors advanced with slower times, a result of multiple falls in those races.

Upcoming Competitions

Felix Pigeon’s quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday at 20:15. This event is part of the continuing excitement at the Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, the women’s final culminated without Polish representation, with the following standings:

As the competition continues, the spotlight now turns to the men’s 500-meter quarterfinals. The excitement for potential medal wins remains high among fans and participants alike at El-Balad.