Metoděj Jílek of Czechia showcased his extraordinary speed skating skills by winning the men’s 10,000m event at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium on February 13, 2026. This remarkable achievement secured him a second medal at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Czechia’s Metoděj Jílek Wins Olympic Gold
In a thrilling race, Jílek demonstrated impeccable timing and endurance. As he approached the final laps, he made a strategic move to overtake the leading time established by Vladimir Semirunniy of Poland. Semirunniy had set a time of 12:39.08 earlier in the day, but Jílek was undeterred.
Racing to Victory
- Event: Men’s 10,000m Speed Skating
- Date: February 13, 2026
- Location: Milano Speed Skating Stadium
- Winner: Metoděj Jílek, Czechia
- Winning Time: 12:33.43
- Silver Medal: Vladimir Semirunniy, Poland (12:39.08)
- Bronze Medal: Jorrit Bergsma, Netherlands (12:40.48)
With eight laps left, Jílek began to close the gap, matching Semirunniy’s pace. He executed several impressive laps under 30 seconds, thrilling the crowd as he surged ahead. Although he aimed for the Olympic record of 12:30.74, set by Nils van der Poel at the Beijing 2022 Games, he ultimately finished just shy of that mark.
Highlights from the Race
This victory not only highlights Jílek’s personal success but also adds to his previous achievement of winning a silver medal in the 5,000m event earlier in the competition. His strong finish solidifies his status as a rising star in the speed skating world.
As the Olympics continue, fans eagerly anticipate more from Jílek, who has proven to be a formidable competitor on the international stage.
