For more information about Short Track in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, please check here

Athletes from 24 nations have qualified for Short Track at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, including all the key favourites for medals. Most strongly represented are the traditionally successful nations of Republic of Korea, China, Canada, Italy, USA and Netherlands. 

Hong Kong and Austria are among notable small nations, while Czechia, Australia, Slovakia and Great Britain each send a lone athlete. 

In the women’s field, ISU Crystal Globe winner Courtney Sarault (CAN), pictured above, leads the way. A powerful performer across all three distances, she is joined by teammates Kim Boutin and Florence Brunelle, who are also full of confidence.

The USA duo Corinne Stoddard (left) and Kristen Santos-Griswold will feature in Milan © ISU

Sarault will be rivalled by the skater that won the ISU Crystal Globe in 2024/25, Kristen Santos-Griswold of the USA – alongside teammate Corinne Stoddard, who has been consistent in making podiums.

Kim Gilli won the ISU Crystal Globe in 2023/24 and is strong in the 1000m and 1500m. She skates alongside mentor and teammate Choi Min Jeong (KOR), who is seeking a third straight 1500m gold medal.  

Arianna Fontana (ITA) is a figurehead in Milano, and her country’s flagbearer at her sixth Games. She is targeting her third straight 500m gold.

Xandra Velzeboer will be looking to secure gold for the Netherlands © ISU

Xandra Velzeboer (NED) will be favorite in the 500m – and a contender across the board – while Suzanne Schulting (NED), a late qualifier after a couple of seasons out doing Speed Skating, returns as a wildcard in the 1500m.

Hanne Desmet (BEL) has had brilliant recent seasons, while young Italians Elisa Confortola, Gloria Ioriatti and Chiara Betti are in contention.

William Dandjinou is making his debut at the Olympic Winter Games © ISU

In the men’s racing, William Dandjinou (CAN) is clearly the man to beat, having won back-to-back ISU Crystal Globes. Able to win across the distances and relays, he’s targeting Canadian Olympic history. 

Jens van ‘t Wout (NED) is an athlete with a proven record of beating Dandjinou – as is the Canadian’s teammate, Steven Dubois (CAN). Van ‘t Wout is an Olympic debutant like Dandjinou, while Dubois will be hoping his Olympic experience can come into play.

Pietro Sighel will compete on home soil in Milan © ISU

Pietro Sighel (ITA) carries much of the Italian hope: he has been very consistent for the last few seasons, and is currently ranked no.2 overall.

Rim Jongun (KOR) has been a sensational newcomer this season, and the 18-year-old has made the Korean team alongside Hwang Dae Heon (KOR), who will defend his 1500m title. 

Liu Shaoang was 500m champion in Beijing 2022. Among the outside shots to impress this term have been Felix Roussel (CAN), Thomas Nadalini (ITA) and Miyata Shogo (JPN), while Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia, Michal Niewinski of Poland, Sun Long of China can also make an impact.