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The 5000m is one of the most competitive distances in men's long track speed skating. Sander Eitrem (NOR) is the big favorite for gold at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 - just two weeks before the Games, he became the first man in history to skate the distance in under six minutes, stopping the clock in 5 minutes and 58.52s in Inzell (GER).

Target on his back

When he skated his World Record at the World Cup event in Inzell, Eitrem knew that he had put a target on his back for the Olympic Games.

"To be honest, I was a bit satisfied with the situation I was in [before the World Record],” he explained.

A stunned Sander Eitrem (NOR) takes in his record-breaking feat in Inzell (GER) in January 2026 © ISU 

“I didn't win a World Cup [this season] before Inzell. I was happy with that. I was like more of an underdog, but I turned it upside-down. I'm one of the favorites. 

"I put myself in that position and I'll now have to deal with it, but it's OK. I just have to continue with what I do."

Tough competition

Eitrem realizes competition will be tough in Milan. 

"There's so many skaters who can win. I will not say I'm the only one, but there are two or three guys,” he said.

Two or three is actually a low estimate. Timothy Loubineaud (FRA), Metoděj Jílek (CZE), Vladimir Semirunniy (POL), Casey Dawson (USA) and home favorite Davide Ghiotto (ITA) are all in the mix for the title. 

Loubineaud, Dawson and Jílek all won 5000m races this World Cup season and Jílek also won the only 10,000m race.

The Frenchman started the season with an unexpected 5000m win at the World Cup in Salt Lake City, bringing the World Record to the brink of the six-minute-barrier in 6:00.23, and the 29-year-old was on the podium in all the other long-distance races except one.

Timothy Loubinead (FRA) celebrates hauling the 5000m World Record to the brink of the six-minute mark in November 2025 © ISU 

Dawson won the second World Cup in Calgary, and Jílek seized 10,000m gold at the third World Cup and 5000m gold at the fourth.

Semirunniy didn't win a World Cup race in the A Division, but he did break the 10,000m track record at the famous Thialf oval in Heerenveen (NED) in the B Division, and he also took the 5000m European title in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (POL) in January.

Ghiotto has not found his rhythm this season yet, but on home ice the 10,000m World Record holder and Beijing bronze medalist at the longer distance might be capable of something special.

Home hopes rest with 10,000m World Record holder and Beijing bronze medalist Davide Ghiotto © ISU 

A new champion crowned

Whoever wins, the 5000m will see a new Olympic Champion. In Beijing, the now retired Nils van der Poel (SWE) took the gold medal and at the three previous Games the distance was Sven Kramer (NED) territory.

It seems unlikely that any of the three Dutch skaters will be able to step into Kramer's footsteps: Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga and Marcel Bosker all failed to mount the long-distance podium this season. 

The draw

All the favorites will skate in the bottom three pairings. Ghiotto faces Dawson in the eighth pairing, Jïlek takes on Eitrem in the ninth and Loubineaud closes off competition versus Ted-Jan Bloemen (CAN). 

The numbers

• World Record: 5:58.52 (Sander Eitrem, NOR)
• Olympic Record: 6:08.84 (Nils van der Poel, SWE)
• Track record: No track record yet
• Number of skaters competing: 20
• Number of delegations represented: 12
• Competition starts at 16:00 at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on Sunday, February 8