Milān-Cortina d’Ampezzo – As the 2026 Winter Olympics draw to a close, Latvian athletes are poised for compelling finishes in both biathlon and bobsleigh. Fans face a scheduling challenge on Sunday, February 22nd, with the men’s 50km mass start cross-country skiing race and the third run of the four-man bobsleigh competition both beginning at 11:00 local time. The Games have already proven to be Latvia’s most successful Winter Olympics since 2014, but the final events offer opportunities for further achievement.
Patrīcija Eiduka will aim to cap off a strong Olympic showing in the 50km mass start. The Latvian cross-country skier achieved a historic 15th place finish in the 10km freestyle race, marking the best result for Latvia in Olympic cross-country skiing history. She also teamed with Kitija Auziņa for a 13th-place finish in the sprint event. This year marks the first time women will compete in a 50-kilometer mass start at the Olympics, a distance previously set at 30 kilometers, and equalized with the men’s event last year.
In bobsleigh, the Latvian four-man team of Jēkabs Kalenda, Matīss Miknis, Lauris Kaufmanis, and Mairis Kļava currently sits in 11th place after the first two runs. They are just 0.17 seconds behind the German team piloted by Markus Traihl, who holds the 10th position. The team recognizes the need for improvement, particularly in their start times.
“We need to try to get under 4.8 seconds [in the start],” said Matīss Miknis after the second run, as reported by LSM.lv. “Our starts are preventing us from fighting for higher positions. There’s still tomorrow. We hope to show our character tomorrow.”
Kalenda’s Crew Eyes Qualification for Final Run
Kalenda’s team will start 11th in the third heat, corresponding to their current ranking. The top 20 teams will advance to the fourth and final run, scheduled to begin at 13:15 local time. The competition promises a thrilling conclusion to the bobsleigh events.
The Olympic Games are scheduled to conclude with the closing ceremony at 21:30 on Sunday.
Eiduka Reflects on Support from Former Coach
Elsewhere, Latvian cross-country skier Patrīcija Eiduka has received praise from her former coach, Justina Kowalczyk. Kowalczyk, a two-time Olympic champion, expressed her continued support for Eiduka, noting the emotional impact of Eiduka’s gratitude following her performance in the 10km freestyle race. “Patrīcija is like a foster daughter to me,” Kowalczyk said to Polish television, as reported by Sportacentrs.com. “I always try to support her, and I will always try to do so. I feel like she is my daughter. Whenever she needs something, I will always be ready to help.”
Eiduka previously trained under Kowalczyk and Aleksandrs Vereteļnijs, crediting them with significant contributions to her development as an athlete. She overcame a difficult period, including the loss of her father during the COVID-19 pandemic, to achieve her best Olympic result.
Latvian Performances Across Disciplines
The Latvian team has enjoyed success in multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games. The luge team lived up to their medal favorites status, while Roberts Krūzbergs secured a bronze medal in short track speed skating. The Latvian men’s hockey team also garnered significant attention. Baiba Bendika and Estere Volfa are set to compete in biathlon, and Dženifera Ģērmane is competing in alpine skiing. Deniss Vasiļjevs is a veteran in figure skating, while young athletes are making their debut in skeleton.
The Games have also prompted reflection on the inclusion of athletes from aggressor states within the Olympic movement. Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislavs Heraškevičs, who was disqualified, expressed a desire to honor the memory of athletes and coaches who have died in the war initiated by Russia.
As the Olympics near their conclusion, the focus remains on the performances of Latvian athletes like Patrīcija Eiduka and Jēkabs Kalenda’s bobsleigh team. The final events promise excitement and a chance to add to Latvia’s medal count.
Stay tuned for updates on the final day of competition and the closing ceremony. Share your thoughts and support for the Latvian team in the comments below.
