February 15 (UPI) — Dutch skater Femke Kok set an Olympic record in the women’s 500 meters on Sunday, winning the Netherlands’ first long-distance gold medal in the process.
The 25-year-old clocked a stunning 36.49 seconds to win gold at Milan’s Speed Skating Stadium, her second medal of the Games after taking silver in the 1,000m.
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“It’s definitely a relief. I’m proud that I can do this,” three-time 500m world champion Coker told reporters. “This is what I dreamed of as a kid, and to have it happen today is so special.”
Cork’s Dutch teammate Jutta Riordan won the 500m silver medal in 37.15 seconds, while Japan’s Miho Takagi won the bronze medal in 37.27 seconds.
Erin Jackson of the United States, who won the gold medal in Beijing, finished fifth in 37.32 seconds.
Dutch gold medalist Femke Kok (right) poses with teammate and silver medalist Jutta Leerdam during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games on Sunday, February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
On February 9, Riordan won the gold medal in the women’s 1,000-meter speed skating competition. Takagi won a bronze medal in the event. The 31-year-old is Japan’s most decorated female Olympian, having won seven Olympic medals ahead of the Games in Italy. She won two bronze medals in Italy and now has nine bronze medals.
Fans show their support to Femke Kok of the Netherlands during the women’s 500m final of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games on Sunday, February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
