Milan-Cortina, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics have presented a mixed bag of results for the Belgian Desmet siblings, Hanne and Stijn, both prominent figures in the world of short track speed skating. While Hanne Desmet advanced through the heats of the 1,000m event, she was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals, and Stijn Desmet faced disqualification in the 500m after a fall during competition. The sibling duo, who train together and represent Belgium on the international stage, were hoping to build on their recent successes at the World Championships.
The Desmet siblings have quickly turn into a force in short track, with Hanne recently crowned world champion in the 1,000m in Beijing in March 2025, marking Belgium’s first gold medal at the World Championships in the event. Stijn secured a silver medal in the 1,500m at the same championships, demonstrating the family’s growing dominance in the sport. Their journey to the Olympics has included extensive training with Shorttrack TeamNL in Heerenveen before relocating to Canada to pursue new challenges. The pair are aiming to add an Olympic medal to their impressive collection of accolades, including Hanne’s Olympic bronze medal from 2022.
Hanne Desmet’s 1,000m Run Ends in Semi-Finals
Hanne Desmet began her Olympic campaign strongly, successfully navigating the initial rounds of the 1,000m short track event at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. She posted a time of 1:29.661 in her heat, securing her place in the quarter-finals, and then advanced to the semi-finals. However, her run ended there, as she failed to qualify for the final. The results approach after a strong showing at the European Championships, where she has consistently medaled in recent years, including gold medals in 2023 and 2024.
Stijn Desmet Disqualified in 500m After Fall
Stijn Desmet’s Olympic experience took a disappointing turn in the 500m event. He was disqualified following a fall during the race, preventing him from advancing to the next round. This setback follows his elimination in the quarter-finals of the 1,500m, where he finished fourth in his series with a time of 2:18.802, becoming the first skater eliminated based on time. Despite the early exits, Stijn remains a key member of the Belgian team and will have further opportunities to compete in the remaining events.
Elsewhere at the games, Kim Meylemans finished sixth in the women’s skeleton event, completing the course in 3:50.67, just 1.65 seconds behind Austria’s Janine Flock, who secured the gold medal with a time of 3:49.02. Germany’s Susanne Kreher (3:49.32) and Jacqueline Pfeifer (3:49.46) rounded out the podium. The Belgian team also competed in the women’s team pursuit, with Sandrine Tas, Isabelle Van Elst, and Fran Vanhoutte finishing sixth and qualifying for the final C, where they will compete for fifth place against Germany with a time of 3:01.33.
Sam Maes experienced a setback in the giant slalom, withdrawing after a fall in the first run. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil made history by becoming the first South American to win a medal at the Winter Games, claiming victory in the event.
The Desmet siblings, despite these mixed results, remain focused on their Olympic goals. Hanne will continue to compete in other short track events, while Stijn will look to rebound in the remaining races. The Belgian team will aim to build on their performances as the games progress.
The 2026 Winter Olympics continue to deliver thrilling competition and inspiring stories. Fans can expect more exciting moments as athletes from around the globe vie for Olympic glory. Stay tuned for further updates on the Belgian team’s performance and the unfolding drama of the games.
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