MILAN & CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted across the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, saw Latvia’s athletes deliver strong performances and a powerful message of solidarity with Ukraine. The Latvian delegation, the largest in the nation’s Winter Olympic history with 68 athletes competing across nine sports and 28 disciplines, returned home with two medals – a silver for luger Elīna Ieva Bota and a bronze for short track speed skater Roberts Krūzbergs – but their impact extended far beyond the podium.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomed the Olympic team in Riga, praising their achievements and, notably, their demonstration of support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The President highlighted the restrictions placed on Ukrainian athletes during the Games, preventing them from freely expressing their views or acknowledging the war, calling those restrictions “unjustified.” Rinkēvičs characterized the Latvian athletes’ solidarity as “gold,” a sentiment reflecting a broader commitment to human rights and freedom of expression within the sporting world.
Bota’s Historic Silver Leads the Way
Elīna Ieva Bota’s silver medal in the women’s singles luge event marked a historic moment for Latvia. According to the official Olympic website, Bota’s performance on February 10, 2026, made her the first Latvian woman to win an individual medal at the Winter Olympics. Bota, who also competes as a professional athlete for Lashe.lv, previously secured a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championship in sprint and another bronze at the 2023 European Championship. Her success in Italy underscores a growing strength in Latvian luge, with Kristers Aparjods finishing fourth in the men’s competition and the doubles team of Marta Robežniece and Kitija Bogdanova also securing a fourth-place finish. The Latvian team relay also came close to a medal, finishing fourth.
The luge team’s near misses highlight the depth of talent within the Latvian program. Mārtiņš Bots and Roberts Plūme finished fifth in the doubles event, further demonstrating the nation’s commitment to the sport. The strong showing across multiple luge disciplines signals a promising future for Latvian sliding sports.
Krūzbergs Secures Bronze in Short Track
Roberts Krūzbergs added to Latvia’s medal count with a bronze in short track speed skating. His achievement, alongside Bota’s silver, provided a significant boost to national morale and showcased the diversity of Latvian athletic talent. Krūzbergs also achieved a fifth-place finish in the 1000-meter distance, demonstrating his consistency and competitive spirit throughout the Games.
Strong Performances Across Multiple Disciplines
While Bota and Krūzbergs captured the headlines with their medal-winning performances, other Latvian athletes also delivered notable results. Distanceslēpotāja Patrīcija Eiduka, alongside Kitija Auziņa, reached the final of the team sprint, finishing 13th. In biathlon, Estere Volfa led the Latvian contingent with an 11th-place finish in the 10-kilometer pursuit and a 16th-place finish in the 7.5-kilometer sprint, while Baiba Bendika secured 15th place in the sprint event.
The Latvian delegation’s participation in the Games was marked by strong sportsmanship and a clear message of support for Ukraine. Kaspars Daugaviņš carried the Latvian flag during the opening ceremony in Milan, while Jennifer Ģērmane had the honor in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Krūzbergs and Eiduka carried the flag during the closing ceremony in Verona, symbolizing the team’s collective achievements and values.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, held from February 6th to February 22nd, provided a platform for Latvian athletes to compete at the highest level and to demonstrate their commitment to both athletic excellence and humanitarian principles. The Games served as a reminder of the power of sport to transcend political boundaries and to promote values of solidarity and respect.
Looking ahead, the Latvian Olympic Committee will undoubtedly build on the successes of the 2026 Games, investing in athlete development and fostering a culture of excellence. The team’s performance in Italy has set a high bar for future competitions and Latvian fans will be eagerly anticipating the next Winter Olympics, scheduled for 2030.
The next major event for many of these athletes will be the upcoming World Championships in their respective sports, providing an opportunity to continue building momentum and refining their skills. Fans can follow updates and schedules on the official websites of the Latvian Olympic Committee and the individual sports federations.
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