The magnitude of this weekend’s final stop on the ISU Short Track World Tour cannot be overstated: by Sunday night, tickets to Milano Cortina 2026 will have been won and lost. 

Some will revel in the wonderment of making it to their first Olympics. Others will feel relief at securing a return. For the unfortunate, there’s the agony of missing out.

Spots are secured for countries not individuals, but most skaters know who is lined up to go, should they succeed in the Dutch city of Dordrecht.

It all comes down to the Odido Cup ISU Short Track World Tour finale.

New names aim for immortality 

Peter Groseclose is the Philippines’ lone representative. “I would be ecstatic to qualify,” he said. “It would be great for me, and it would be great for the Philippines Skating Union and the development of the sport in the country.

“I need to make it to the main round to have a good shot, rather than having to rely on other people’s results.”

Peter Groseclose became the first Filipino medalist at an ISU World Cup when he took bronze in the 500m at the 2024 Junior World Cup in Bormio (ITA). © ISU

He isn’t piling pressure on himself, despite his dad Tim devising an algorithmic spreadsheet to calculate his odds of qualification. 

“It’s a big deal but I feel pretty calm. For a lot of people, including me, there’s a lot of pressure, but honestly, I’ve been doing a good job on being present minded. I have hopes, but you can only do what you can do.”

Adam Azlan of Malaysia knows he needs the skate of a lifetime. “If I have an amazing weekend, I can make it,” he said. “I would be very proud of myself. People don’t know what Short Track is in Malaysia. It would be big news back home.”

Annabelle Green of the British Royals is aiming to follow in the tracks of her parents, who competed at Calgary in 1988 - her father in long track for Great Britain, her mother in Short Track for Canada.

Annabelle Green hopes to follow in her parents' blade tracks by reaching the Milano Cortina Olympics: they both competed in Calgary in 1988. © ISU

"It's exciting having this opportunity,” she said. “It is a little frustrating being so close, especially when all it takes sometimes is a little bit of luck to see you through. I've had quite a few falls. It's tough but I’m still having fun.

"I need to make one more main event in the 500m to be one step closer. There are a lot of nerves. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Both my parents were Olympians. They always say 'Do your best and forget the rest', but it would be really exciting to carry on the legacy.”

Former stars desperate for Olympic return 

Kazuki Yoshinaga of Japan competed at PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, but was unhappy with his results on the big stage. He sees this weekend as his chance to reach Milan and make amends. Nineteenth in the overall standings, he knows that he can be overtaken by those behind him.

Kazuki Yoshinaga is aiming to represent Japan at a third Olympic Games after appearances in PyeongChang and Beijing. © ISU

“It’s a big weekend, I would be so happy and proud if I can make it to my third Games,” he said. 

“Previously, but I did not get good results. If I qualify this time I want to be getting close to a medal. 

“But first I have to get there. I am a little bit nervous. I know what it is like going to the Games, so I want it again. We will have huge crowds, big noise.

“All our team are trying as hard as possible. Miyata Shogo is doing very well and wants to go to his first Games. I want to be there with him. He is a good friend, but we are always trying to beat each other. It means a lot to our country.”

Cloe Ollivier of France agrees. “It is a very important weekend, I’m trying to make all three distances, but I have a better chance in the 1500m and 1000m.

“I was very nervous in the start of the season, it’s my first proper Olympic season. I went to Beijing but I was 16 and wasn’t really on the ice. So this feels like my first one.

Cloe Ollivier of the French Roosters will be cheered on in Dordrecht by her parents as she aims to qualify for her second Olympic Games. © ISU

“To skate at the Games would mean my dream coming true. I’m going to do everything to be there. My parents are in Dordrecht, so I won’t have to call them up on Sunday to tell them I’ve made it to the Olympics, they will be here. That would be special.”

Relay places mean more Olympic teammates

Qualifying a team for the relay at Milano Cortina 2026 is extra special, as it means more people per nation will board the plane to Italy.

Reinis Berzins and Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia will both make it to the Games via their individual distances, but they’d love to bring their friends along for the ride. 

Latvians Reinis Berzins (center) and Roberts Kruzbergs (right) are both bound for Milan, but know relay success can also book tickets for their teammates. © ISU

“I wish I could say we don’t look at the spreadsheets and results, but of course we do,” said Berzins. “Me and Roberts still have work to do to get the 500m and 1500m spots.

“The relay it is a long shot, but this is Short Track and we got a good result in Gdansk. The boys are progressing race by race and understand each other better.

“If the guys keep their heads, maybe we can do something amazing this weekend. If we all got to go to the Olympics, it would be really special, especially for the young guys.

“Some guys are struggling with their decision on whether to keep going with the sport, and that could help change their mind, and keep Short Track in Latvia going. So I wish that we can do it.”

The Latvians need a semi-final appearance at least to skate to Milano. Kazakhstan’s men, meanwhile, will need a medal in Dordrecht to qualify. 

Their top racer, Denis Nikisha, still believes. “For sure we can do it, it's Short Track,” he said. “I remember 2014 before Sochi, it was also the last World Cup [needing points to qualify] and we did it. Everything is possible.”

Denis Nikisha of Kazakhstan needs to skate through the pain barrier and lead his team to a medal in Dordrecht to secure an Olympic relay spot. © ISU

Nikisha is racing through the pain barrier to make it happen, having herniated a disc a week before the season began.

“I don't have a choice, for Milan and because I'm a fighter,” he said. "I skipped the first World Cup because I couldn't move. The second World Cup I tried, and I was 11th in the 500m with one leg. How is it possible? I don't understand that.”

How is his fitness now? “It's maybe 50%.” That could be enough to book his team rooms in the Olympic Village. 

So don’t miss a second of the action in Dordrecht. Every race could mean someone’s dream coming true…