Norwegian athlete Sander Eitrem won the men’s 5000m speed skating gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The race was held on February 8, 2026, in Milan, Italy. Eitrem finished with a time of 6 minutes 03.95 seconds, which set a new Olympic record.
The men’s 5000m speed skating gold marked one of Norway’s early successes at the Games. The event featured 20 competitors representing 12 countries. Athletes raced in paired heats under standard Olympic speed skating rules.
Race Results for Men’s 5000m Speed Skating Gold
Eitrem led the field after delivering a consistent pace throughout the race. His final time placed him ahead of all remaining competitors. The silver medal was won by Metoděj Jílek of the Czech Republic. Jílek finished 2.53 seconds behind the winning time.
The bronze medal went to Italy’s Riccardo Lorello, who completed the race in 6:09.22. His result placed him 5.27 seconds behind Eitrem. This finish earned Italy a podium position in the men’s 5000m speed skating event.
Other Competitors in the Men’s 5000m Speed Skating Event
Several skaters finished close to the medal positions. Davide Ghiotto of Italy placed fourth. Norway’s Peder Kongshaug and the Netherlands’ Chris Huizinga also recorded competitive times. The margins between the top finishers were narrow across the final standings.
Background and Olympic Context
Eitrem entered the Olympics following a strong season. Prior to the Games, he became the first skater to break the six-minute barrier in the 5000m distance at a World Cup event in Germany. His Olympic performance continued that form.
The men’s 5000m speed skating gold was part of the official speed skating program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which run from February 7 to February 22. Speed skating events are being staged at dedicated venues in Milan.
