Sander Eitrem Wins 5000m Speed Skating Gold and Sets New Olympic Record on February 8, 2026

Sander Eitrem set a new Olympic record in the men's 5000m speed skating with a time of 6:03.95. This is faster than the previous record.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

The men's 5000m speed skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics saw Norway's Sander Eitrem claim the gold medal. Eitrem's performance not only secured the top prize but also set a new Olympic record for the event. The race took place at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, and his victory highlights Norway's continued strength in speed skating.

Context of the Competition

The men's 5000m speed skating event was a key fixture on February 8, 2026, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan Cortina. This race is one of the longest individual distances in speed skating, demanding both endurance and strategic pacing from the athletes. Competitors aim to maintain a consistent, high speed over the ten laps of the 5000-meter course. Eitrem, at 23 years old, was considered a strong contender, especially after his recent world record performance.

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Eitrem's Dominant Performance

Sander Eitrem achieved a time of 6:03.95 in the men's 5000m event, setting a new Olympic record. This mark surpasses previous records and solidifies his position as the current leader in the discipline. His race strategy appeared effective, as he managed to stay ahead of strong competitors.

  • Eitrem's prior success included breaking the six-minute barrier in the 5000m at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Salt Lake City on January 24, 2026, where he set a world record of 5:58.52.

Key Competitors and Results

While Eitrem secured gold, other skaters also achieved notable results:

  • Metodej Jilek, ranked World No. 1, took the silver medal with a time of 6:06.48. He was in the penultimate pairing with Eitrem.

  • Riccardo Lorello earned the bronze medal, finishing with a time of 6:09.22. This marked Czechia's first-ever Olympic medal in men's speed skating. Lorello was noted for keeping pace with Eitrem early in the race before fading towards the end.

Casey Dawson of the USA finished his heat with a time of 6:11.88, placing second in his segment but not achieving a medal position in the final standings.

Broader Olympic Landscape

Eitrem's gold medal contributes to Norway's strong showing at the Winter Olympics. With Eitrem being only 23 and his teammate Wiklund at 25, there is an expectation of a continued successful period for Norwegian speed skating.

  • The Winter Olympics 2026 also featured other significant skating events, including the Men's 5,000m relay final. Results from the Short Track Speed Skating Mixed 2000m relay showed the Netherlands winning with a time of 2:35.537, setting an Olympic record.

Evidence Analysis

The primary evidence for Sander Eitrem's victory and record comes from multiple sources. The Olympics.com official report confirms his gold medal and highlights his previous world record. Wikipedia's compilation of records also lists Eitrem's 6:03.95 as an Olympic Record for the Men's 5000m on February 8, 2026. ESPN's results and The Athletic's live updates corroborate the event and Eitrem's win.

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  • The distinction between the "Olympic Record" set by Eitrem in the 5000m individual event and the "Olympic Record" set by the Netherlands in the Short Track Speed Skating Mixed 2000m relay is clear from the source material.

Next Steps

Further investigation could explore the specific training methodologies and technological advancements contributing to Norway's success in speed skating. Detailed performance analysis of Eitrem's race compared to historical Olympic performances could also provide deeper insights.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the men's 5000m speed skating gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 8, 2026?
Norway's Sander Eitrem won the men's 5000m speed skating gold medal. He achieved a time of 6:03.95, which set a new Olympic record for the event.
Q: What was Sander Eitrem's winning time in the men's 5000m speed skating event on February 8, 2026?
Sander Eitrem's winning time was 6:03.95. This new time set a new Olympic record for the men's 5000m speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Q: Who took the silver and bronze medals in the men's 5000m speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Metodej Jilek from Czechia won the silver medal with a time of 6:06.48. Riccardo Lorello also from Czechia took the bronze medal with a time of 6:09.22.
Q: Where did the men's 5000m speed skating final take place on February 8, 2026?
The men's 5000m speed skating final was held at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium as part of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Q: What does Sander Eitrem's Olympic record mean for Norway's speed skating team?
Eitrem's gold medal and new Olympic record show Norway's continued strength in speed skating. At 23 years old, his success suggests a strong future for the Norwegian team.