Marijke Groenewoud Secures Historic Tenth Gold for the Netherlands at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Milano-Cortina, Italy – February 21, 2026 – Marijke Groenewoud of the Netherlands clinched gold in the women’s mass start speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking the tenth gold medal for the Dutch team – a new record for the country in Winter Games history. The victory came shortly after Jorrit Bergsma won the men’s mass start earlier on Saturday, contributing to a double gold celebration for the Netherlands.

A Thrilling Race to the Finish

Groenewoud finished ahead of Canada’s Ivanie Blondin and the United States’ Mia Maganello. The race featured a competitive field including world champion Francisca Lollobrigida, Valerie Maltais and Ivanie Blondin. The speedy-paced event saw Belgium’s Sandrine Tas and Switzerland’s Kaitlyn McGregor briefly take the lead with five laps remaining, but Groenewoud ultimately seized control in the final lap.

Dutch Dominance at the Milan-Cortina Games

The Netherlands’ previous best performance at a Winter Olympics was eight gold medals. This record was first broken by Jorrit Bergsma’s win in the men’s mass start, paving the way for Groenewoud to secure the historic tenth gold. Groenewoud’s previous best Olympic result was a silver medal in the team pursuit earlier in the 2026 Games.

Groenewoud’s First Olympic Gold

This marks Groenewoud’s first individual Olympic gold medal, solidifying her position as a leading figure in speed skating. The win caps off a successful Olympic speed skating tournament for the Netherlands, demonstrating the nation’s strength in the sport.

Follow the Winter Olympics with Flashscore.