Kristen Santos-Griswold Pursues Gold: Did She Achieve Victory on Monday?

MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — On Monday, the world’s swiftest short-track speedskaters took to the ice for the women’s 1000m competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Dutch team celebrated completing their gold medal collection in speedskating, with Jutta Leerdam securing the top spot on the podium.

Following close behind, Dutch skater Femke Kok earned the silver medal, while Japan’s Miho Takagi claimed the bronze.

Kristen Santos-Griswold from Team USA, hailing from Connecticut, was determined to reach the podium and seize a medal. Her quest is deeply personal, especially after her medal hopes were dashed in a fleeting moment during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“She appeared to be in medal position with a lap to go before being bumped by another skater, sending both to the ice,” Team USA writer Paul Bowker wrote. “A bona fide medal contender going into the Games, Santos finished fourth, the closest she would get to a medal in her five events.”

But the comeback was not to be. In her quarterfinals heat, Santos-Griswold dueled for the lead position in the first half of the race, but appeared to lose steam in the second half, drifting to third without being able to pass her way back into the lead. 

And with an advancement from another skater, Santos-Griswold was pushed out at the quarterfinals, and didn’t make it to the semifinals. 

Santos-Griswold had some setbacks during her 2025 season, according to NBC. She caught stomach flu during the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships and was sidelined by a back injury during the national championships. But that didn’t stop her from winning two bronze medals at the World Tour, including one in the 500m.

She made her first U.S. national team in 2019 and has since competed at four world championships for Team USA, including winning a silver medal on the women’s relay team at the 2024 world championships.