Belgium at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Skeleton
Belgium may not be a traditional winter sports nation, but it left the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with two medals. It is looking to do even better at the 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina, with several disciplines offering realistic medal prospects. Today, Belga English looks at skeleton racer Kim Meylemans.
Skeleton is one of the oldest winter sports, and one of the most thrilling. Athletes start standing, just like in bobsleigh, then – after a short push – jump face down onto their sled and slide head first down an ice track. They steer by shifting their body weight as they race along the track at 130-140km an hour.
In Milan-Cortina, Belgian skeleton specialist Kim Meylemans will try to wipe away the memories of her dramatic experience from the previous Games in Beijing. After contracting Covid-19, she had to remain in quarantine in China despite testing negative, which took its toll mentally. She was unable to perform at her best and finished in a disappointing 18th place. At her first Olympics, in 2018, she reached 14th.
Meylemans, nicknamed “the Little Belgian”, came back stronger after her frustrating experience in Beijing. In 2024, she firmly established herself among the world’s elite as she became European champion and runner-up in the World Championships.
While a serious crash – resulting in concussion – disrupted her previous winter, the 29-year-old seems to be back in top form just in time. In Sigulda, Latvia, on the track where she became European champion last year, Meylemans raced to two World Cup victories in December. She is currently also wearing the World Cup leader’s jersey.
"I’m hoping for a good season and then hopefully we can enjoy the Games"
The German-born racer made a promising start to the new World Cup season in November with third place in the opening race in Cortina d’Ampezzo, on the track where the Olympic title will be contested in February. She went on to finish third in Lillehammer, Norway, too. The next World Cup skeleton race is scheduled for 2 January in Winterberg, Germany.
“I’ve already gained a lot of confidence for the Winter Olympics, my steering skills are reaching top level and mentally this is my best year,” Meylemans told Sporza after her two recent victories in Latvia. She tried to take the pressure off by pointing out that Milan-Cortina is not her main goal, but that she is focusing on winning the World Cup.
“I’m taking the Games as a bonus,” she said. “I’m hoping for a good season and then hopefully we can enjoy the Games.”
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO MARK RALSTON / AFP
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