Winter Olympic 2026: The Ukrainian national team has officially secured three valuable short-track speed skating licenses for the Winter Olympic Games 2026. Set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Athletes who ranked within the top 32 at the 500 m and 1000 m distances earned the Olympic licenses in individual short-track events. A series consisting of four stages where athletes accumulated points toward their final standings.
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The qualification period ran from October until November 30 and concluded on the track in Dordrecht, Netherlands. Under the qualification rules. Athletes who ranked within the top 32 at the 500 m and 1000 m distances earned the Olympic licenses in individual short-track events. And within the top 36 at the 1500 m distance.
Only the best three results from the four stages were counted. Meaning consistency and peak performance were crucial throughout the competition. Oleh Handey and Elizaveta Sidyorko secured Ukraine’s three licenses. Handey managed to remain within the qualifying range in two events. Taking 26th place in the 500 m and 36th place in the 1500 m.
Milano Cortina 2026: Ukraine’s speed skating Lineup for Olympic 2026 Awaits Final Confirmation
These results contributed two of the three Olympic spots available to Ukraine. Sidyorko earned the third license by finishing 29th in the women’s 500 m. Becoming the only female Ukrainian athlete to achieve an Olympic berth for the sport. Her result is especially significant, as it marks a rare moment for Ukraine in women’s short track.
All three licenses remain non-named, meaning the country has secured the right to participate but has not yet confirmed the final list of athletes representing Ukraine at the Winter Olympic Games 2026. Ukraine will field a single skater in both men’s events. For 26-year-old Oleh Handey.
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The upcoming Games could potentially mark his second Olympic appearance. He previously competed in the 500 m event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing in 27th place. His experience on the Olympic stage provides a strong foundation for a possible return in 2026. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Elizaveta Sidyorko has the opportunity to make her Olympic debut.
Olympic 2026: Oleh Handey Ends Ukraine’s Long Absence in Olympic Speed Skating
Her qualification is particularly meaningful considering Ukraine’s limited history in women’s short-track events at the Games. The last time Ukraine appeared in the women’s 500 m was during the 1998 Nagano Olympics, when Natalia Sverchkova skated in the qualifying rounds. For the men’s 1500 m.
Ukraine last had a representative in 2002, when Volodymyr Hryhoriev competed. In the men’s 500 m, Ukrainian skaters have historically struggled to pass the qualification stages, making Handey’s success in securing a spot for this distance an important achievement. In total, ahead of the Winter Olympic Games 2026, Ukraine has collected 21 licenses across six different sports.
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Biathlon leads the way with an impressive 10 spots, reflecting the sport’s strong tradition in the country. Cross-country skiing follows with five licenses, while short track contributes three. Two spots have been earned in alpine sports, and figure skating adds one more. These allocations demonstrate the growing depth of Ukraine’s winter sports programs and its determination to perform strongly on the world stage.
Olympic Speed Skating: Ukraine Builds Confidence for 2026 Winter Games
Short-track competitions at the 2026 Olympics are scheduled to run from February 10 to February 20, giving Ukraine an early chance in the Games to showcase its talent and progress. The licensing success in short track is more than just a technical qualification—it highlights Ukraine’s ambition to strengthen its presence in winter sports ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026.
With the possibility of both a returning Olympian and a debut competitor, the team is preparing for a meaningful showing at the world’s premier winter sporting event. These licenses also motivate the broader national program, encouraging further development among young athletes and emphasizing the importance of international competition experience.
As Ukraine continues its buildup to the Winter Olympic Games 2026, the achievements in short-track speed skating stand as a promising sign of the team’s readiness to compete at the highest level and strive for new milestones on the Olympic ice. The quotas were earned based on results from four stages of the 2025 ISU World Tour (short-track), concluding at the final event in Dordrecht.
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