dutch hopes shine bright in milan-cortina

2026-02-06 sport

Milaan, vrijdag, 6 februari 2026.
the olympic winter games 2026 are underway in milan-cortina. 38 dutch athletes compete for medals. the largest ever dutch winter delegation focuses on speed skating, shorttrack and snowboard cross. joy beune leads in the 3000m women’s final. suzanne schulting races in shorttrack sprints. glenn de blois aims for podium glory in snowboard cross. fans across the country follow every moment. medal chances are real on multiple fronts. the action runs until february 22.

opening ceremony marks official start

The Olympic Winter Games 2026 officially began with the opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, in Milan [3]. Athletes from 93 nations entered the stadium, including the Dutch delegation of 38 competitors—the largest winter squad the Netherlands has ever sent [1]. Chef de mission Fleur Chew led the group under the national flag. The ceremony celebrated Italian culture and winter sports heritage. Over the next 16 days, these athletes will compete for 195 medals across 16 disciplines [3]. Viewers worldwide tuned in through official broadcasters.

speed skating takes center stage early

On February 7, the Dutch team made its first appearance at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium during the women’s 3000 meters event [1]. Competitors included Joy Beune, Marijke Groenewoud, and Merel Conijn [1]. This race traditionally opens the Netherlands’ medal campaign, reflecting the country’s dominance in long-track speed skating. The following day featured the men’s 5000 meters with Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga, and Marcel Bosker representing the Netherlands [1]. These distances suit Dutch training methods and technical expertise on indoor ovals [GPT].

shorttrack sprinters aim for gold

Shorttrack racing begins on February 10, with Dutch contenders entering both individual and relay events [1]. Suzanne Schulting competes in the 1500 meters, having already raced in quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled for February 6 [1]. Her teammate Xandra Velzeboer joins her in the same discipline. On February 12, finals for the 1500 meters and mixed relay occur—a key opportunity for medals [1]. The Netherlands qualified ten shorttrack athletes overall, signaling strong depth in this high-speed discipline [6].

snowboard cross heats build momentum

Glenn de Blois represents the Netherlands in men’s snowboard cross, with qualification rounds starting before February 12 [1]. His best chance comes in the finals held on that date, where he aims to reach the podium [1]. The competition takes place at Livigno Snow Park, known for challenging terrain and variable conditions [3]. Although snowboarding produces fewer Dutch medal hopefuls compared to ice sports, De Blois remains a consistent performer internationally [GPT]. His performance draws attention beyond traditional fan bases.

broader participation across disciplines

Beyond marquee events, Dutch athletes participate in figure skating, bobsleigh, and other sports. Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova perform in pairs figure skating on February 15 [1]. The four-man bobsleigh team, featuring Timme Koster, Jelen Franjic, Janko Franjor, and Dave Wesselink, races on February 21 and 22 [1]. Additionally, snowboarders Melissa Peperkamp and Romy van Vreden compete in big air on February 7 [1]. These appearances highlight growing diversity in the Dutch winter program despite limited historical success outside skating.

viewing options and public interest surge

In the Netherlands, all events stream live via NOS.nl and broadcast on NPO1 television [7]. Fans unable to attend in person may access highlights and analysis online immediately after competitions conclude. Interest peaks around medal opportunities involving well-known athletes such as Schulting and Beune [GPT]. Physical attendance occurs at the Staatsloterij TeamNL House in Milan, offering interactive experiences for supporters [7]. Social media trends show rising engagement ahead of critical race dates [6].

Bronnen

Olympische Spelen Nederlandse atleten