Dutch short track speed skaters claim two golds with Velzeboer setting women's 500m world record

MILAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Dutch short track speed skaters Jens van 't Wout and Xandra Velzeboer claimed golds on Thursday at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with Velzeboer setting a new women's 500-meter world record.

Velzeboer won in 41.609 seconds, holding off reigning champion Arianna Fontana of Italy, who took silver in 42.294. Canada's Courtney Sarault earned bronze.

Velzeboer had set a new Olympic record in the quarterfinals with 41.583, before breaking the world record in the semifinal with 41.399.

"Before these Olympics, I thought it would be crazy if I could skate a world record on this day. I dreamed of it, and I did it," Velzeboer said. "This is the best day of my life. I've grown so much in the 500 meters. Pressure is a privilege, and I felt confident I was at my best."

Home favorite Fontana, a five-time Olympian with 13 medals across six Games, tied fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti for the most Olympic medals by an Italian athlete.

"It is pretty special. I don't really think about numbers. I'm trying not to, because I have more races. But I'm really happy and proud," Fontana said.

"To be here, at 35, to fight against the strongest athletes who are even 10 years younger than me -- I think we have really done something unique," Fontana added.

China's Fan Kexin, a three-time Olympian, finished 10th, while Wang Xinran and Zhang Chutong were disqualified in the quarterfinals.

In the men's 1,000-meter, two-time Olympian Van 't Wout, who finished 19th in Beijing 2022, crossed the line in 1 minute, 24.537 seconds to take gold.

"I can't believe it," said Van 't Wout. "I went to the Olympics hoping, dreaming. But (William) Dandjinou was so strong this season, and I had a rough season. I wasn't sure, but everyone on my team believed in me, and they brought me to that gold medal."

"I just love this sport. If I wasn't going to be an Olympic champion, I'd still be doing it," he added.

China's Sun Long was just 0.028 seconds behind Van 't Wout for silver. South Korea's Rim Jong-un took bronze in 1 minute, 24.611 seconds.

Sun said the medal means a lot to him. "Winning this medal is a recognition of my efforts in training. All the athletes are outstanding, especially Van 't Wout. He is the top athlete in the world (in men's short track)." ■