MILAN – Veteran Dutch speed skater Jorrit Bergsma defied Father Time on Saturday, capturing Olympic gold in the men’s mass start at Milano Cortina 2026 at the remarkable age of 40. His victory marked his second Olympic championship and helped complete a dominant performance by the Netherlands in speed skating.
Bergsma’s teammate Marijke Groenewoud also claimed victory in the women’s mass start, giving the Dutch team a complete sweep of both final races as speed skating competition concluded at these Winter Games.
The Netherlands wrapped up the speed skating program with an impressive five gold medals, more than any other competing nation at Milano Cortina.
Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup earned silver in the men’s competition, delivering just the second Winter Olympic medal in his country’s history. Italy’s Andrea Giovannini thrilled the home crowd by capturing bronze.
In women’s competition, Canada’s Ivanie Blondin took silver – repeating her performance from Beijing 2022 – while American Mia Manganello rounded out the podium with bronze.
The men’s 16-lap race saw Bergsma and Thorup execute a bold breakaway on the third lap that caught competitors off guard. However, Bergsma saved his most decisive move for the closing laps, pulling away from Thorup with a powerful surge that sealed his victory.
As Bergsma entered the home stretch, television cameras captured him breaking into a smile and beginning his celebration before even crossing the finish line.
This latest triumph adds to Bergsma’s impressive Olympic collection, which includes 10,000-meter gold from Sochi 2014, silver from Pyeongchang 2018, and bronze medals in the 5,000m at Sochi and 10,000m at these current Games.
“That was crazy, mind-blowing,” Bergsma said. “I was expecting a really hard final, but nobody wanted to do the first attack. I did it. I had a gap together with Viktor and that was it.”
“We had a gap in no time, and then I knew, ‘okay, I have a big, big chance right now’. I just wanted to keep the gap with the peloton and keep the speed in it a bit. I had to keep my cool and finish it.”
The race proved disappointing for defending champion Bart Swings of Belgium. The 35-year-old, who made history by winning his nation’s first Winter Olympic gold in 74 years at Beijing 2022, could only manage a ninth-place finish.
American Jordan Stolz, fresh off winning Olympic titles in both the 500m and 1,000m events, placed fourth in the mass start.
Groenewoud’s victory came after the retirement of Dutch legend Irene Schouten, who had previously defended the women’s mass start title. The 27-year-old Groenewoud perfectly timed her final sprint to claim her first Olympic gold medal.
“Maybe it (Bergsma’s race) brought some more pressure on my shoulders, but there was also a lot of energy I got out of it. It’s nice to see your teammate win. Then you have to do it yourself, too,” Groenewoud said.
“I stood up and thought, ‘this mass start is my mass start and I did it’. It’s a dream come true. As a child I dreamed of Olympic gold and now I got it.”
Groenewoud’s perfect day became even more memorable when her boyfriend proposed to her moments after her victory celebration concluded.
“I got a gold medal and a silver ring,” Groenewoud said. “Really happy with it. I didn’t expect it. It’s a perfect day.”
