Belgian Olympic Hopes Dim as Winter Games Draw to a Close
MILAN-CORTINA, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics are proving to be a challenging campaign for Belgium, with the nation set to finish with only one medal – a bronze in the short track mixed relay – after a series of disappointing results in recent events. While the ambition was to surpass the two medals won at the 2022 Beijing Games, the Belgian team faces a sobering reality as the Games near their conclusion.
Disappointment in Speed Skating Mass Starts
Saturday’s mass start events in speed skating yielded no further medals for Belgium. In the women’s competition, Fran Vanhoutte finished ninth, and Sandrine Tas placed thirteenth. The gold medal in the women’s mass start went to the Netherlands’ Marijke Groenewoud, continuing a strong showing for the Dutch team throughout the Games. Both Vanhoutte and Tas attempted aggressive moves during the final, but ultimately couldn’t maintain pace with the leaders.
The men’s mass start also brought disappointment for the host nation. Bart Swings, the defending champion, finished ninth, while Indra Médard came in eighth. The gold medal was claimed by Dutchman Jorrit Bergsma. This outcome underscores the competitive nature of the event and the difficulty of securing a podium finish.
Tas and Vanhoutte Fall Short
Fran Vanhoutte and Sandrine Tas, both experienced speed skaters, entered the mass start with hopes of contributing to Belgium’s medal count. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to break into the top three. Tas, who also competes in inline skating and cycling, has a decorated career, including multiple European and world championship medals in inline speed skating. She transitioned to speed skating following in the footsteps of fellow Belgian Bart Swings, who also made a similar switch.
Marchant’s Near Miss in Slalom
While the mass start events didn’t deliver a medal, Belgian athlete Armand Marchant came close to a stunning upset in the slalom event. He finished just off the podium, securing a commendable fourth-place finish. This performance, described as a “beautiful place” by sporza.be, highlighted the potential within the Belgian team, even if it didn’t translate into a medal.
Marchant’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he is considered an “outsider” in the sport, demonstrating the growing strength of Belgium’s winter sports program. Nieuwsblad reported that Marchant navigated the challenges of a “minor ski land” to reach the world-class level.
Mixed Relay Bronze Remains Sole Medal
Belgium’s only medal of the Games remains the bronze secured by the short track mixed relay team. Hanne and Stijn Desmet, Tineke den Dulk, and Ward Pétré combined to deliver a strong performance and secure a place on the podium. This achievement provided a bright spot in an otherwise challenging Olympics for the Belgian delegation.
A Record Delegation, Limited Success
The Belgian team arrived in Milan-Cortina with a record delegation of 30 athletes, signaling a commitment to expanding its presence in winter sports. However, the results haven’t matched the increased investment, leading to a sense of disappointment. The team had hoped to build on the success of the 2022 Beijing Games, but ultimately fell short of that goal.
Looking Ahead
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, Belgium will be looking to analyze its performance and identify areas for improvement. The team will undoubtedly focus on developing its athletes and strengthening its programs in key winter sports. The next Winter Olympics will provide an opportunity to build on the lessons learned in Milan-Cortina and strive for greater success.
The final events of the Games will be closely watched, but for Belgium, the focus will soon shift to planning for the future. The team will aim to return to the next Winter Olympics with a renewed sense of purpose and a determination to achieve greater results.
The Belgian delegation’s journey at the 2026 Winter Olympics concludes tomorrow.
