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Posted on Jan 12, 2026 / Sports

Team Netherlands will compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, with a squad of 32 athletes across four sports including speed skating, short‑track speed skating, alpine skiing and figure skating. ([turn0search37]) The Dutch team is most famous for its dominance in speed skating, where skaters regularly win multiple medals and are among the world’s best on the long‑track ice. ([turn0search37]) Skaters such as Kjeld Nuis, Joep Wennemars, Jenning de Boo, Femke Kok, Suzanne Schulting and others are expected to lead the charge for medals in sprint and middle‑distance races based on World Cup performances. ([turn0search37]; [turn0search24])

In short‑track speed skating, the Netherlands has qualified the maximum team of ten athletes (five women and five men), allowing Dutch skaters to compete in all individual distances as well as relays and mixed team events — a major medal opportunity in one of the sport’s most unpredictable disciplines. ([turn0search20]; [turn0search14]) The short‑track roster includes established racers like Xandra Velzeboer, Michelle Velzeboer and Selma Poutsma who have shown strong results on the world tour. ([turn0search37]; [turn0search20])

One of the Dutch stories gaining attention is Jutta Leerdam on long‑track speed skating, confirmed to race in the 500 m and 1000 m events despite a crash at trials — she’s a former Olympic medalist and a favorite for podiums in both distances. ([turn0news0]; [turn0news5])

The Netherlands has also secured spots in alpine skiing, though with smaller quotas, giving one male and one female skier the chance to compete on the Olympic slopes. ([turn0search37]) In figure skating, a Dutch pairs team of Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova has qualified for Milan, marking a rare appearance for the Netherlands in this discipline. ([turn0search37])

Speed skating’s long track events will take place at the Milano Ice Park, where Dutch skaters aim to challenge for medals on distances ranging from the explosive 500 m to endurance events and team pursuits. ([turn0search12]) The combination of short track and long track prowess makes the Netherlands one of the most watched teams in ice skating at these Games. ([turn0search12]; [turn0search11])

While the Dutch delegation is smaller than some winter sport powerhouses, its medal potential is concentrated in skating, where the Netherlands has historically topped podiums and set world records. ([turn0search18]) Athletes and fans alike are hopeful that the 2026 Games will bring another strong showing and continue the nation’s legacy on ice. ([turn0search18])

Overall, Team Netherlands enters the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Olympics with a focused group of elite athletes, especially in speed and short‑track skating, and with medal expectations high in those disciplines. ([turn0search37])

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