Dutch Skater Jens van 't Wout Wins 2nd Olympic Gold

A sea of orange erupted at the Milano Ice Skating Arena Saturday night as Jens van 't Wout crossed the finish line to claim his second Olympic gold medal in less than a week.

The Dutch speedskater won the 1,500-meter short track event with a time of 2 minutes, 12.219 seconds. It was his second gold of the 2026 Milan Cortina Games after capturing the 1,000-meter title earlier this week.

Van 't Wout raised his arms in triumph the moment he finished, then skated straight to his orange-clad teammates for celebratory hugs. His pure joy was contagious, spreading through the Dutch contingent and lighting up social media feeds worldwide.

South Korea's Daeheon Hwang, who won gold at the 2022 Beijing Games, took silver with a time of 2:12.304. Latvia's Roberts Kruzbergs rounded out the podium with bronze, while Canadian favorite William Dandjinou finished fifth.

The celebration paused briefly for a penalty review, but the results stood. The delay only added to the drama as van 't Wout's victory became official.

Why This Inspires

Van 't Wout's double gold performance represents more than personal achievement. He's become a symbol of dedication and consistency in a sport where fractions of seconds separate victory from defeat.

Short track speedskating demands years of grueling training, split-second decision making, and the courage to compete at breakneck speeds inches from competitors. Van 't Wout mastered two different distances in the same Olympic Games, showcasing remarkable versatility.

His success also highlights the Netherlands' growing presence in short track, a sport traditionally dominated by Asian and North American athletes. The Dutch speedskating program continues to prove that innovation and hard work can challenge established powerhouses.

The image of van 't Wout surrounded by teammates in orange captures what sports are really about: shared dreams and collective celebration. His individual victories belong to everyone who supported his journey.

As the Milan Cortina Games continue, van 't Wout's story reminds us that excellence comes from persistence, and true champions lift everyone around them.