BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
At 40 years old, Jorrit Bergsma skated into Olympic history Saturday, stretching his arms wide in celebration as he powered down the backstretch of the mass start final at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. With a commanding lead and no rival in sight, the Dutch veteran had time not only to savor the moment but to acknowledge the sea of orange-clad supporters roaring from the stands.
He blew kisses toward fans wearing bright orange outfits and playful mullet wigs in tribute to his distinctive hairstyle. He applauded them as they cheered his name. By the time he crossed the finish line, Bergsma had secured his place as the oldest long track speedskating gold medalist in Olympic history.
“Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” Bergsma said afterward, his gold medal hanging from his neck. “I’m a 40-year-old guy. It is crazy. This one was really unexpected.”
Before Saturday’s race, the record for the oldest Olympic champion in long track speedskating belonged to Ireen Wust, who was 35 when she won the 1,500 meters at the 2022 Beijing Games. The oldest male champion had been Clas Thunberg, who was 34 when he claimed the 1,500 meters title at the 1928 St. Moritz Olympics — a record that had stood for nearly a century.
Bergsma’s victory not only shattered those marks but underscored his longevity in a sport that often favors youth and explosive speed. His triumph came in the mass start, a tactical 16-lap race that blends endurance, positioning and sprint timing — a format that rewards experience as much as physical strength.
American standout Jordan Stolz, just 21 and nearly half Bergsma’s age, finished fourth after already collecting two gold medals and a silver earlier in the Games. Stolz expressed admiration for the veteran’s performance.
“It’s super incredible,” Stolz said. “He’s super nice, super relaxed.”
Stolz’s coach, Bob Corby, described Bergsma’s effort as “pretty phenomenal,” particularly given the strategic complexity of the mass start. Stolz noted his surprise that none of the skaters in the main pack attempted a coordinated chase after Bergsma launched his decisive move.
The defining moment came early. Bergsma surged to the front alongside Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup, who would ultimately take silver. The pair created separation from the field, but once clear, Bergsma accelerated again, dropping Thorup and skating alone at the front.
“I knew this final is going to be a tough one,” Bergsma said. “Nobody wanted to do the first move, so I did it. I didn’t expect it. Nobody responded. Nobody wanted to close the gap for each other. I’m still mind blown that I won the gold medal here today.”
The hesitation in the chasing pack proved decisive. In a race format where teamwork and timing often dictate the outcome, the lack of coordinated pursuit allowed Bergsma to build an insurmountable advantage. By the closing laps, he was free to celebrate well before the finish.
The victory adds another chapter to an already distinguished Olympic career. Bergsma previously won gold in the 10,000 meters and bronze in the 5,000 at the 2014 Sochi Games. He also earned silver in the 10,000 meters at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and captured bronze again in the 10,000 earlier in Milan.
For many competitors, remaining at an elite level across multiple Olympic cycles is a formidable challenge. Bergsma’s continued success, more than a decade after his first Olympic gold, highlights not only physical endurance but also adaptability to evolving race formats and rising generations of talent.
American skater Mia Manganello, 36, who took bronze in the women’s mass start behind Dutch champion Marijke Goenewoud, praised Bergsma’s achievement. She joked that she hoped her coach would not use his example as motivation for extending her own career after what she described as her final Olympic race.
“So well-deserved. He’s a great racer, a great competitor,” Manganello said. “It shows this sport has a lot of maturity and the longevity of it.”
Bergsma’s triumph resonated deeply with Dutch fans, whose country has long been a powerhouse in speedskating. Their vibrant orange presence filled the arena, amplifying every surge and lap. As Bergsma acknowledged them during his solo glide to the finish, the celebration felt as much communal as personal.
In a Games defined by emerging stars and record-breaking youth, Bergsma offered a different narrative — one of persistence, patience and experience prevailing on the Olympic stage. His gold medal at 40 stands as a testament to both his enduring skill and the unique demands of mass start racing, where timing and tactical nerve can outweigh raw speed.
For Bergsma, the victory was both historic and deeply personal. More than 12 years after his first Olympic gold, he once again stood atop the podium — this time, rewriting the record books in the process.
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