MILAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Dutch short track speed skaters Jens van 't Wout and Xandra Velzeboer claimed golds on Thursday at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with Velzeboer setting a new women's 500-meter world record.

(L-R) Silver medallist China's Sun Long, gold medallist Netherlands' Jens van 't Wout and bronze medallist South Korea's Rim Jong-un pose on the podium of the short track speed skating men's 1000m final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Velzeboer won in 41.609 seconds, holding off reigning champion Arianna Fontana of Italy, who took silver in 42.294. Canada's Courtney Sarault earned bronze.

Velzeboer had set a new Olympic record in the quarterfinals with 41.583, before breaking the world record in the semifinal with 41.399.

"Before these Olympics, I thought it would be crazy if I could skate a world record on this day. I dreamed of it, and I did it," Velzeboer said. "This is the best day of my life. I've grown so much in the 500 meters. Pressure is a privilege, and I felt confident I was at my best."

Home favorite Fontana, a five-time Olympian with 13 medals across six Games, tied fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti for the most Olympic medals by an Italian athlete.

"It is pretty special. I don't really think about numbers. I'm trying not to, because I have more races. But I'm really happy and proud," Fontana said.

"To be here, at 35, to fight against the strongest athletes who are even 10 years younger than me -- I think we have really done something unique," Fontana added.

China's Fan Kexin, a three-time Olympian, finished 10th, while Wang Xinran and Zhang Chutong were disqualified in the quarterfinals.

In the men's 1,000-meter, two-time Olympian Van 't Wout, who finished 19th in Beijing 2022, crossed the line in 1 minute, 24.537 seconds to take gold.

"I can't believe it," said Van 't Wout. "I went to the Olympics hoping, dreaming. But (William) Dandjinou was so strong this season, and I had a rough season. I wasn't sure, but everyone on my team believed in me, and they brought me to that gold medal."

"I just love this sport. If I wasn't going to be an Olympic champion, I'd still be doing it," he added.

China's Sun Long was just 0.028 seconds behind Van 't Wout for silver. South Korea's Rim Jong-un took bronze in 1 minute, 24.611 seconds.

Sun said the medal means a lot to him. "Winning this medal is a recognition of my efforts in training. All the athletes are outstanding, especially Van 't Wout. He is the top athlete in the world (in men's short track)."