Belgium's Hanne Desmet is embracing a fresh start after an Olympic medal-winning season that was also shaped by injury and equipment challenges.

The 29-year-old claimed Mixed Relay bronze alongside her brother Stijn Desmet before helping Belgium repeat the result at the ISU Short Track World Championships 2026 in Montreal. Now, with new equipment, a fresh training environment and her sights set on the Olympic Winter Games French Alps 2030, Desmet is eager to see what the next four years will bring.

Stijn Desmet and Hanne Desmet celebrate after winning the bronze medal during the finals of the Mixed Team Relay of the Short Track at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Olympic memories shared with family

Winning a medal alongside her brother made Milano Cortina 2026 especially meaningful.

“It is special to win a team medal, and to share it with my brother is crazy,” Desmet said.

The siblings have supported one another throughout their careers, both on and off the ice, and the result was a proud moment for the entire family.

“Winning together was really awesome. The family was super happy.”

Like many Belgian Olympic medallists, Desmet also had the opportunity to celebrate the achievement with King Philippe following the Games.

Philippe of Belgium and Hanne Desmet pictured during a royal reception for the athletes who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, at the Royal Castle in Laken - Laeken, Brussels in May 2026 © Getty Images

Overcoming injury and equipment setbacks

While the relay medal was a highlight, the season came with challenges.

Desmet battled a knee injury throughout the campaign and faced repeated issues with a pair of skating boots she had used for eight years.

“Results-wise, the season could have been better,” she said.

“I had a knee injury that I had a problem with the whole year.

“Also, my boots fell apart every few weeks, so now I have new ones and I hope I can be at my normal level again.”

Now equipped with a new pair of boots, the Belgian is focused on recovering fully and building momentum for the seasons ahead.

Life beyond the rink

Following a long season, Desmet swapped the ice rink for warmer surroundings, travelling to Mexico for a post-season break.

Originally planning a trip to Hawaii, she and her team changed destinations due to flooding concerns and found plenty to enjoy in Mexico instead.

“It was a super nice vacation,” she said. “The vibe of the country is super cool. The food is really good, so it was a nice relaxed atmosphere.”

Back home, Desmet values the opportunity to spend time with family, friends and the pets she rarely sees during the season, including a Border Collie named Maze.

She is also happiest outdoors. Whether in Belgium or training in Salt Lake City, hiking remains one of her favourite ways to switch off from competition.

“I go hiking almost every day,” she said. “I like the views and being outside.”

A new home in Hungary

Desmet has experienced a variety of training environments during her career, having worked within Dutch, Canadian and now Hungarian programmes.

The move to Hungary last year brought a more individualised approach and allowed her to spend more time with her mother, who also lives there.

“Budapest is my favourite city that I’ve lived in so far,” she said.

“It’s a super nice city, and it’s a fun team to train with.”

The Belgian believes exposure to different coaching styles has helped her grow as an athlete and expects the next Olympic cycle to bring new lessons as well.

Her own experiences with injuries have also sparked an interest in how the body works and recovers.

Asked what she might have done outside of Short Track, she pointed to careers in medicine or physiotherapy.

“I think I would’ve studied to become a doctor,” she said.

“Being a physio would also be cool. I’ve worked so much with physios over the past 12 years and I know how much you can teach people to use their bodies better.”

Her own experiences with injuries and rehabilitation have only strengthened that interest.

Looking ahead to French Alps 2030

With the next Olympic cycle already underway, Desmet has returned to training and is preparing for an extended period in Calgary later this summer.

Her immediate goal is to put her injury concerns behind her, adapt fully to her new boots and continue developing as the sport evolves.

“I still really like skating,” she said.

“I’m excited to see what the sport will do in the next four years.”

After years at the top of the sport, her enthusiasm remains unchanged.

“I’ve done this for a long time,” she said. “But I still feel young.”

With a new pair of boots, a new Olympic cycle and plenty of motivation still intact, Desmet is ready for the road to French Alps 2030.