Dutch Speedskaters Defeat Jordan Stolz, Clinch Olympic Mass Start Gold
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Dutch speedskaters showcased their dominance in the men’s mass start event. This marked a significant achievement for 40-year-old Jorrit Bergsma, who captured gold, becoming the oldest Olympic speedskater to win a gold medal.
Dutch Dominance in Mass Start Speedskating
During the final race of the speedskating competition, Bergsma and Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup established an early lead. As the race progressed, Stolz appeared unable to challenge the leaders, ultimately finishing fourth. His performance came after remarkable wins in the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, along with a silver in the 1,500 meters.
Stolz’s Olympic Journey
- 500 meters: Gold
- 1,000 meters: Gold
- 1,500 meters: Silver
- Mass Start: Fourth place
Stolz, who is just 21 years old, expressed disappointment at the outcome. “I thought the other guys would want to chase, but they didn’t,” he said. His coach, Bob Corby, criticized the race strategy, stating, “The whole peloton decided to race for bronze.”
Bergsma’s Historic Achievement
Bergsma’s victory added to his impressive Olympic resume, including five medals overall and a previous gold in the 10,000 meters back in 2014. He celebrated his win with the crowd, demonstrating his joy and disbelief. “I couldn’t believe it. Is this really happening?” he remarked after the race.
Women’s Mass Start Results
In the women’s mass start, Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud won gold. Canada’s Ivanie Blondin secured silver, while the bronze went to Mia Manganello from the U.S. This marked Manganello’s final race, capping off her career as the World Cup champion in this category.
Reflections on the Games
Stolz reflected positively on his overall Olympic experience. He noted, “Two golds and a silver, that’s pretty good.” This success followed a challenging previous Olympic appearance in Beijing, where he finished 13th and 14th in his events. With two gold and one silver medal in Milan, Stolz’s performance remains commendable.
The Milan Winter Olympics have highlighted the extraordinary talent of Dutch speedskaters, continuing a legacy in the sport. With Bergsma’s victory and Stolz’s two golds, the future of speedskating looks bright for these athletes.
