The Netherlands claimed the most medals in short track speed skating at the Winter Olympics, while Italy's Arianna Fontana made history by becoming her country's most decorated Olympian with 14 total medals. The competition featured remarkable comebacks from injury and breakthrough performances by first-time Olympic athletes.
The Netherlands emerged as the dominant force in short track speed skating at the Winter Olympics, while Italy celebrated as hometown hero Arianna Fontana carved her name into Olympic history with a record-breaking medal collection.
Throughout the two-week competition, athletic achievements were woven together with compelling personal narratives, featuring competitors who overcame serious injuries and newcomers to the Olympic stage whose championship aspirations sometimes fell short of expectations.
The 35-year-old Fontana advanced to championship rounds in every single competition, capturing gold for Italy in the mixed relay event and earning silver medals in both the 500-meter race and women’s relay.
With Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni watching from the stands, Fontana’s women’s relay silver medal brought her career total to 14 Olympic medals, breaking the previous Italian record of 13 held by fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti from 1936-60, establishing her as Italy’s most successful Olympian ever.
While the Netherlands has long been considered a dominant nation in traditional speed skating, these Games marked their strongest showing in the more recent short track discipline.
Following an early setback when they failed to qualify for the mixed relay championship race, the Dutch squad gained momentum throughout the competition, ultimately securing seven medals with five of them being gold.
Jens van ‘t Wout captured three gold medals and one bronze, representing a triumphant comeback for the 24-year-old athlete who bears a facial scar from a 2019 skating mishap that nearly ended his competitive career. He announced plans to commemorate his success with an Olympic rings tattoo featuring his medal colors.
His sibling Melle earned an unexpected silver in the 500 meters on his 26th birthday, overcoming a severe knee injury that had hindered his performance in recent seasons.
Fellow Dutch competitor Xandra Velzeboer dominated the women’s events, claiming victory in both the 500 meters after establishing a world record during the semifinal, and the 1,000 meters.
Olympic newcomer Kim Gil-li, age 21, spearheaded South Korea’s effort, earning two gold medals and one bronze as the short track powerhouse nation collected seven total medals — an improvement of two compared to their performance at Beijing 2022.
Canada’s Courtney Sarault returned home with reason for celebration after earning medals in four out of five events she competed in — two silver and two bronze — while teammate Steven Dubois secured his first individual Olympic gold medal in the 500 meters.
However, the Games ended on a disappointing note for Canadian William Dandjinou, the 24-year-old world number one and first-time Olympian recognized for his signature “eagle” celebration, who departed without an individual medal despite qualifying for all three final races.
“I didn’t even know it was possible to finish fourth that many times in one Games,” he said. “You will see me in four years.”