Olympics 2026: Ukrainian skater Handei sensationally reaches short track quarterfinal
Oleh Handei (photo: NOC of Ukraine)
Ukraine’s sole male representative in short track at the 2026 Olympics, Oleh Handei, has advanced to the 500-meter quarterfinal. The historic result was achieved despite a fall during the qualifying heat, according to the live broadcast of the competition.
Drama on the final lap
Handei competed in the seventh heat. On the last lap, a crash occurred: American skater Brandon Kim collided with the representative from Uzbekistan, causing the Ukrainian to fall as well.
Despite the fall and pain, Handei managed to get up and finish third. He trailed the heat winner, Dutch skater Jens van 't Wout, by more than eight seconds.
Opponent disqualified, historic breakthrough for Oleh Handei
After reviewing the incident, judges disqualified Brandon Kim. As a result, Handei was moved up to second place in his heat, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
This marks the first time in Ukraine’s history that a male short-track skater has advanced past the 500-meter qualifying round at the Olympic Games. Previously, all Ukrainian skaters were eliminated at this stage, including Handei himself at the 2022 Games, as well as Volodymyr Hryhoriev (2002, 2006) and Yevhen Yakovlev (1998).
Quarterfinal details
In the quarterfinals, skaters will compete in heats of five. To reach the semifinals, Handei must finish in the top 2 of his heat or be among the two fastest third-place finishers.
The 500-meter quarterfinal heats will take place on Wednesday, February 18, starting at 9:15 p.m. Kyiv time.
