In a standout performance at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics speed skating test event, Korean athlete Kim Gil-li claimed the gold medal in the women’s 1000m final on February 16 at the Milan Arena.
Thrilling Victory Amid Dutch Dominance
Kim Gil-li crossed the finish line in tears, securing the top spot in the highly competitive race. This win marks a significant achievement against the backdrop of Netherlands’ strong showing, where their skaters swept four gold medals across multiple events.
Netherlands athletes dominated the women’s 500m with Sandra Belzjeburg taking gold, while Jens Boon Baert topped the men’s 1000m and 1500m races. In the men’s 500m, Korea’s Im Jong-eun earned a solid third place.
Netherlands’ Rising Powerhouse Status
Netherlands speed skating has surged forward, capturing its first Olympic medal in 2018 PyeongChang and adding two more golds in 2022 Beijing. Their national coach highlighted this momentum, noting, “Netherlands short track also shows strength—after zero medals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, we earned medals in PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022.”
Event and Olympic Context
The test event previews the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games, featuring nine gold medals: six in individual events (men’s and women’s 500m, 1000m, 1500m) and three in team pursuits including men’s, women’s, and mixed relays.
Korea boasts a storied history in speed skating, claiming 26 of 33 medals at the PyeongChang Olympics it hosted. The nation’s first Olympic medal came from Kim Ki-hoon in the men’s 1000m at the 1992 Albertville Games, followed by success in the men’s 5000m relay.
Korea’s Medal Hopes
Building on recent successes like two golds and three silvers at Beijing 2022, Korea eyes podium finishes in men’s 1500m, men’s 1000m gold, women’s 1000m gold, and more in team events. Kim Gil-li expressed confidence, stating, “Relays offer more stable results with better margins. The women’s 1500m is a strong event for us—it’s the kind we can target for victory. That’s our focus.”
