Suzanne Schulting, the Olympic short track speed skating gold medalist from the Netherlands, has made a bold decision for the 2023-2024 season. Due to an injury that sidelined her short track career earlier this year, Schulting will not compete in short track events this winter but intends to continue racing in Winter Olympic long track speed skating. The 27-year-old, who has dominated short track skating for years, is now setting her sights on an ambitious goal: competing in both short track and long track at the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
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Schulting’s transition from short track to long track has been a result of necessity, given her recent injury. However, her determination to compete in both disciplines at the Winter Olympic remains unwavering. This bold pursuit of dual success is not unprecedented, but it certainly presents a unique challenge in the world of Winter Olympic speed skating. Schulting’s decision is a testament to her resilience and the versatility required to excel in both disciplines.
Transitioning to Long Track After Injury, Eyes Winter Olympic 2026
Schulting’s absence from Winter Olympic short track skating this season comes after a significant injury during the 2023 World Championships. While competing in the 1000m at the event, Schulting suffered a broken ankle, a setback that forced her to miss the remainder of the season. Despite the severity of the injury, Schulting has shown incredible strength in continuing her skating career in Winter Olympic long track speed skating, where the demands on the ankles are less intense than in short track racing.
In short track, there is a lot of pressure on your ankles, especially in the bends, Schulting explained, as translated by the Dutch skating federation. With long track skating, that is much less the case, so I was able to continue doing those training sessions. This adjustment allowed Schulting to remain active in training and competition, maintaining her fitness and speed on the long track, where she has already achieved notable results this season.
In the 2023-2024 World Cup series, Schulting has made her presence felt on the long track circuit. She secured a second-place finish in the 500m at the World Cup event in Beijing, showcasing her continued high-level performance. Despite her injury, Schulting has proven that she is capable of competing at the top level in long track, an encouraging sign as she works toward her goal of competing in both disciplines at the next Winter Olympic. You Can Read Winter Olympic: Jordan Stolz’s Focus on Milano Cortina 2026
The Dream of Competing in Both Disciplines at the Winter Olympic 2026
Schulting’s ultimate goal is to make the Dutch Olympic team in both short track and long track speed skating for the Winter Olympic 2026 Games. To achieve this, she plans to gradually reintroduce herself to short track training during the current season, using the training as an opportunity to assess the recovery of her ankle. That is why I will occasionally participate in Winter Olympic short track Speed Skating training this season, Schulting said. On the one hand to feel how the ankle is doing and on the other hand to keep in touch with TeamNL Shorttrack.
Her dual approach to training reflects the enormous commitment required to master both forms of speed skating. Short track skating involves intense speed and agility, with athletes navigating tight corners at high speeds on a smaller rink. In contrast, Winter Olympic long track speed skating takes place on a much larger oval rink, requiring more endurance and power over longer distances. The ability to excel in both disciplines at the highest level would be a monumental achievement, especially considering the differences in technique, strategy and physical demands.
Schulting’s decision to train for both events shows that she is committed to pursuing her dream with calculated steps. While her injury is a major hurdle, she remains optimistic and is prepared to take the necessary time to ensure she is fully ready for the Olympic. The Netherlands, which has produced a long history of Winter Olympic speed skating champions, will undoubtedly be watching Schulting’s progress closely in the coming years.
Historical Precedent: Athletes Who Have Competed in Both Disciplines
Schulting is not the first speed skater to aim for both short track and long track at the Olympics, although the feat is rare. The most famous example is Jorien ter Mors of the Netherlands, who competed in both disciplines at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympic. In 2018, ter Mors made history by winning medals in both short track and long track, a remarkable achievement that highlighted her versatility and athleticism. Ter Mors’s success has inspired many athletes, including Schulting, to explore the possibility of competing in both forms of Winter Olympic speed skating.
In addition, Latvian Haralds Silovs also competed in both short track and long track during the 2010 Winter Olympic. However, it was ter Mors’s double-medal achievement in 2018 that captured the public’s attention and raised the profile of athletes pursuing dual careers in speed skating. Schulting, with her pedigree as a six-time Olympic medalist in short track, is now following in the footsteps of these athletes, aiming to prove that it is possible to excel in both disciplines at the highest level.
Other athletes have expressed similar ambitions, most notably Italian short track legend Arianna Fontana. Fontana, who has won 11 Olympic medals in short track, has announced her desire to compete in both short track and long track events at the Winter Olympic Milan-Cortina 2026. Her desire to race in both disciplines at a home Olympic highlights the growing trend among top skaters to explore new challenges and broaden their skill sets, especially with the increased opportunities for cross-discipline participation.
Aiming for Dual Success in Short and Long Track at Winter Olympic 2026
Suzanne Schulting’s achievements in Winter Olympic short track Speed Skating are already legendary. A six-time Olympic medalist, including gold in the 1000m at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Schulting has proven herself to be one of the most dominant figures in the sport. She has also been ranked the number-one short track skater in the world for four consecutive seasons, from 2018-2019 to 2022-2023.
Despite a slower start to the current season, where South Korean Kim Gil-Li has taken over the top spot, Schulting’s return to long track competition serves as a reminder of her resilience and determination. Schulting remains one of the top contenders in the short track world, and her efforts to recover from her injury and pursue long track racing only add to her growing legacy as one of the most versatile speed skaters of her generation.
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In the coming months, Schulting will continue to focus on both her rehabilitation and training, carefully monitoring her ankle and adjusting her plans as needed. Her goal remains clear: to compete in both short track and long track at the Winter Olympic 2026, a feat that would make her one of the few athletes to ever achieve such a remarkable accomplishment.
A New Chapter in Olympic Speed Skating
Suzanne Schulting’s decision to focus on both short track and long track speed skating for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics is a bold and inspiring move. With her injury forcing her to adjust her competitive schedule, Schulting has embraced the challenge of training for two disciplines and aims to add another chapter to her illustrious career.
Her pursuit of dual Olympic success reflects the growing trend of athletes seeking to push the boundaries of their sport and redefine what is possible in speed skating. As Schulting continues to recover and train, fans will be watching eagerly, hoping to witness a groundbreaking achievement in the Winter Olympic 2026.
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