International Olympic Committee

8 Sep 2023 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) has approved the qualification systems for speed skating and the revised short track speed skating qualification system for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The qualification system for speed skating follows the same pathway as that in place for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The system is in line with the Qualification System Principles.

An amendment was also approved to the short track speed skating qualification system. Due to a gradual increase in the age limit for short track speed skating approved by the International Skating Union (ISU) Congress, the ISU requested a change in the age requirement for the Olympic Winter Games. Only skaters who have reached the age of at least 17 before 1 July 2025 will be eligible to compete at Milano Cortina 2026.

Confirmation of these details follows previous IOC EB approval of qualification systems for other sports. Ice hockey was approved in March, while biathlon, curling, figure skating, short track speed skating and ski mountaineering were approved in June 2023.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are scheduled to take place between 6 and 22 February 2026, with the Paralympic Winter Games held from 6 to 15 March.