It’s the 26-year-old’s first Olympics, but did he get on the podium? Here’s how he skated on Thursday.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — The fastest short-track speedskaters in the world hit the ice during the men’s 1000m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday.
Team USA skater Clayton DeClemente from New York made his Olympic debut in Milan, quickly becoming a medal contender in the event after qualifying in the event on Tuesday. Fellow U.S. skater Brandon Kim of Virginia failed to qualify due to a penalty.
DeClemente made a valiant effort in Thursday’s quarterfinals, but was not fast enough to qualify for the semifinals.
Netherlands skater Jens van ‘t Wout won the gold medal in the event, while Sun Long from China took home the silver medal, and Rim Jong-un from South Korea got the bronze.
DeClemente came into the Milan Cortina Games after a stellar performance at the U.S. Championships, including a gold medal in the 1500m event, a silver in the 1000m, and an overall bronze medal.
“Clayton began speed skating in 2011 inspired by his sports idol Jeff Simon, but his interests range far and wide,” according to his Team USA bio. “He loves everything about cars from driving them to fixing them to just talking about them. He loves to cook pasta and loves any variation of pasta while also playing the guitar and bass. His favorite mantra is to ‘Take advantage of every day.”
Ahead of Thursday’s competition, two-time Team USA Olympic speed skating medalist Katherine Reutter-Adamek told commentators that the event’s favorite was William Dandjinou of Canada.
The athlete set a goal of winning five gold medals heading into the Milan Games, and Reutter said he had already won a silver. Winning five medals of any kind at a single Winter Olympics would be the most any short track speed skater has ever won.
Dandjinou’s biggest competitor in the event was Pietro Sighel of Italy, who recently helped his team win the gold medal in the mixed team relay.
The semifinals and finals in the event are scheduled for later on Thursday.