Bergsma wins men's mass start gold; six crash in women's 1500m semi-final

In Brief

Jorrit Bergsma wins men's mass start gold; six of seven crash in women's 1500m semi-final.

Key Facts

• Jorrit Bergsma, aged 40, won the men's Mass Start Speed Skating gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics
• Bergsma is the oldest speed skater to win Olympic gold
• In the women's 1500m semi-final, six of the seven skaters crashed during the race
• China's Yang Jingru was the only athlete not to fall and finished first in the women's 1500m semi-final
• The women's 1500m semi-final crash was described as 'extraordinary' by commentators

What Happened

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Jorrit Bergsma from the Netherlands won the men's Mass Start Speed Skating event, becoming the oldest Olympic gold medalist in speed skating at age 40. In a separate event, the women's 1500m speed skating semi-final saw six of the seven competitors crash, with China's Yang Jingru as the sole skater to remain upright and finish first in that race.

Why It Matters

Bergsma's victory highlights longevity and experience in competitive speed skating, setting a new age record for Olympic gold in the sport. The unusual crash in the women's 1500m semi-final underscores the unpredictable nature of mass start speed skating events and may influence future race strategies and safety considerations.