Two huge crashes, history made and record missed - how wild 500m short track finals unfolded at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games
By Ben Southby
Published 18/02/2026 at 23:48 GMT
React to this story
There were crashes, penalties, siblings on the podium and a record missed during the 500m short track speed skating finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Meanwhile, Italy's Arianna Fontana picked up another medal to make Italian Olympic history. Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+.
Dubois storms to 500m gold as Boer tumbles out in dramatic fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
From crashes to brothers sharing the podium, there were wild scenes in the men's 500m short track finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
In the A final, where five skaters battled for a place on the podium, there was a dramatic incident between William Dandjinou and Teun Boer, with the latter sent flying on the third-to-last lap, flipping over before sliding into the barrier.
Boer was able to continue to finish fourth, while Dandjinou was given a penalty for his part in the collision.
But Jens van 't Wout missed the chance to secure an historic gold medal hat-trick, having claimed the title in the 1000m and 1500m races.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/18/image-2064f750-28a7-44ad-9ec7-c4ce1b48a112-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Boos after controversial decision sees Italian favourite eliminated
Video credit: TNT Sports
He finished third as Canada's Steven Dubois hung on among the chaotic scenes to claim the gold medal.
Van 't Wout may have missed out on a third gold medal of the Games, but he did have the honour of sharing the podium with his brother Melle van 't Wout, who took silver as the Netherlands claimed their 14th and 15th speed skating medals of the Games.
- Shiffrin says 'hard to process' winning third gold medal 12 years on from first - 'It's crazy'
- Klopp explains biathlon passion after Olympic bell-ringing cameo - 'The best combination'
- ‘Deliberate cheating!’ – Ex-ski jumper SLAMS 'desperate' Austrian team in boot scandal
There was chaos in final B, too, as Pietro Sighel and Maxime Laoun collided, causing the pair to crash into the safety barriers.
Canada's Laoun continued to finish the race, finishing more than 20 seconds behind the top three, while his Italian counterpart did not return to the track.
"That's why he [Sighel] has gone walking down the tunnel. Shared responsibility is the call - no penalty," Rob Hatch said on TNT Sports commentary, as the referee decided not to punish Sighel.
"Now then, Sighel perhaps does lean as much into Laoun as we saw Laoun leaning into him from the other angle. Shared responsibility then, no advancement."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/18/image-320370df-3044-4f40-9673-146fbc029406-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Top of the world!' - South Korea edge Italy to take gold after thrilling finish
Video credit: TNT Sports
Elsewhere, Arianna Fontana made history by becoming the most decorated Italian Olympian of all time, after Italy took silver in the women's 3000m relay.
It was the 14th medal the 25-year-old has won in her career and the third at her home Games at Milano Cortina.
Fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti held the previous record, having won 13 medals between 1936 and 1960.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement