Dutch Speed Skater Femke Kok Dominates 500m Ahead of Olympics

The 25-year-old has won all seven World Cup 500m races this season and holds the world record in the event.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Femke Kok, a 25-year-old speed skater from the Netherlands, has been unstoppable in the 500 meters this season, winning all seven World Cup races by comfortable margins. Kok also holds the world record in the 500m, which she set in Salt Lake City in November 2025 with a time of 36.09 seconds. She is the heavy favorite heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she will face off against teammate Jutta Leerdam, the silver medalist in the 1000m.

Why it matters

Kok's dominance in the 500m has made her one of the top stories heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics. As the world record holder and undefeated in World Cup competition this season, she will be the skater to beat in Beijing. Her performance could help the Netherlands continue its speed skating dynasty on the Olympic stage.

The details

Femke Kok has raced the 500m event seven times in World Cup competition this season and has won all seven races, never winning by less than 0.3 seconds. She will be paired with American Erin Jackson in the final pairing of the 500m race at the Olympics. Kok also holds the junior world record in the sprint combination event and the team sprint world record with Leerdam and Letita de Jong.

  • Kok set the 500m world record on November 16, 2025 in Salt Lake City.
  • Kok has won all seven World Cup 500m races so far this season.

The players

Femke Kok

A 25-year-old speed skater from the Netherlands who is the heavy favorite to win gold in the 500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She holds the world record in the 500m and has won all seven World Cup races in the event this season.

Jutta Leerdam

Kok's Dutch teammate who won the silver medal in the 1000m at the previous Olympics. Leerdam will also be competing in the 500m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Erin Jackson

An American speed skater who will be paired with Kok in the final pairing of the 500m race at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Femke Kok has been utterly untouchable in the 500 meters of speed skating entering the 2026 Winter Olympics.”

— Billy Heyen, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

Kok and Leerdam will face off in the 500m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where Kok will be the heavy favorite to win gold after her dominant World Cup season.

The takeaway

Femke Kok's dominance in the 500m this season has made her one of the must-watch athletes heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her world record and undefeated World Cup campaign have established her as the skater to beat in Beijing, where she will look to continue the Netherlands' speed skating dynasty.