Davide Ghiotto Heads Italy’s Dominant 10,000m Team
The anticipation grows for the upcoming men’s 10,000m speed skating event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, set for February 13. This event runs from 10:00 AM to 12:05 PM Eastern Time and can be streamed on Peacock and NBC Sports.
Davide Ghiotto: Italy’s Dominant Skater
Davide Ghiotto has emerged as a formidable contender in this race. The three-time reigning world champion aims to secure his first Olympic medal. He narrowly missed the podium in the 5000m event but is focused on excelling in the longer distance.
Record-Breaking Performance
In January 2035, Ghiotto made headlines by breaking the 10,000m world record. He achieved this remarkable feat with an average lap time under 30 seconds throughout the 25-lap race.
- World Record: Previous holder was Nils van der Poel from Sweden.
- Previous Olympic Achievement: Bronze medal in 10,000m at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Competition Landscape
This season, the men’s 10,000m event has seen limited competition, with only one World Cup race held so far in Heerenveen, Netherlands. Ghiotto finished second in that event, trailing behind young Czech star Metodej Jilek.
Metodej Jilek: Rising Star
- Age: 19 years old
- Recent Achievements:
- Gold in the 5000m at the world juniors (February 2025)
- Bronze in the 10,000m at the 2025 senior world championships
- World Cup Title: Claimed his first title after four podium finishes this season.
Notable Competitors
Ghiotto faces intense competition from other elite athletes:
- Sander Eitrem (Norway):
- Specializes in the 5000m with a world title and record.
- Placed 6th in the 2024 World Championships, improved to 5th in 2025.
- Timothy Loubineaud (France):
- Broke the 5000m world record at the 2025-26 World Cup opener.
- Finished 7th in the 10,000m at the 2025 World Championships.
American Representation
The American skater Casey Dawson, who held the national record in the 10,000m, has unfortunately withdrawn from the race. Dawson was the only American qualified for this prestigious event.
As the men’s 10,000m race approaches, Davide Ghiotto and his peers will vie for Olympic glory in what promises to be a thrilling competition.
