Itzhak de Laat's Artistic Flow at the Games
While the world is focused on the stopwatch and the medal table, as a dancer, I look at the Winter Olympics in Milan through a completely different lens. Today, Monday, February 16, 2026, the short track world is turned upside down. Itzhak de Laat, together with the Dutch men's team, has achieved something we haven't seen in twelve years: they are in the final of the 5,000-meter relay. But what really touches me is not just that spot in the final, but the way Itzhak moves across that ice. It is pure choreography at high speed.
In my thirty years in the dance world, I have seen thousands of dancers pass by, from salsa experts to classical ballerinas. What distinguishes good dancers from the absolute top is 'flow'. You see that immediately with Itzhak de Laat. It is no coincidence that, besides being a top athlete, he is also known as an artist and designer. That creative spirit translates into a riding style that feels almost fluid, even when the pressure in the corners is enormous.
The road to the final in Milan 2026
According to the latest reports from NOS.nl and the reporting on NU.nl, the tension in the Milano Ice Skating Arena is palpable. After a disappointing 1,500 meters earlier this week, where Itzhak was stranded in the quarterfinals, he has completely recovered in the relay. In the semi-finals, the Dutch men showed a display of timing that many a dance company would be jealous of.
In the relay, it's all about the exchange. It is a moment of physical contact where one rider launches the other onto the ice with a powerful push. That requires blind trust and a perfect sense of rhythm. If the timing is off by a fraction of a second, the whole team ends up in the pads. At Miss Salsa, we always emphasize the connection between partners; in short track, that connection is literally the engine of success.
Why dancers can learn from Itzhak
You might wonder what a short tracker from Leeuwarden has to do with a salsa night in Rotterdam or Amsterdam. Actually, quite a lot. Look at the deep angle Itzhak makes in the corners. His hand touches the ice for balance, while his body hangs almost horizontally. This is the same principle as a controlled 'dip' or a sharp spin in salsa. It’s about mastering your center of gravity.
Specifically, there are three things we as dancers can learn from Itzhak:
- Core stability: Without a rock-solid core, you cannot absorb those forces. That applies just as much to a triple spin on the dance floor as it does to a turn on skates.
- Focus: Itzhak always looks three steps ahead. In the dance world, we call that 'spotting'. Your head goes first, the rest of your body follows.
- Resilience: After the setback in the individual distance, he was there for the team again. That mental resilience is what makes a performer.
The artist on and off the ice
Itzhak de Laat is no standard athlete. Born on June 13, 1994, in Leeuwarden, he has always distinguished himself through his wide range of interests. He draws, paints, and loves music. In the sports world, that is sometimes seen as a distraction, but I believe it is precisely his secret weapon. Dancing is also about interpreting space and time, and that is exactly what he does when he looks for a gap on the inside of his competitors.
His experience is evident. He has been involved since he was sixteen and has seen the sport change. Where it used to be mainly about brute force, it has now become a tactical game of chess. A choreography where the music is replaced by the scraping of blades on the ice.
What does this mean for the sport?
The performance of the men's team in Milan is a huge boost for Dutch short track. After years in which the women (with the Velzeboer sisters and Suzanne Schulting) dominated, the men are now showing that they once again belong to the world's top. Itzhak plays the role of the seasoned veteran, the 'leader of the ensemble' who maintains calm when chaos strikes on the ice.
We look forward to the final. Whether it results in gold, silver, or bronze, for me, Itzhak de Laat has already won by showing that top-level sport and artistry go hand in hand. It is a reminder to all of us that, whether you are on the ice or on a wooden dance floor, it is the passion and the flow that truly touch the audience.
Keep an eye on the NOS livestreams for the exact start time of the final. You don't want to miss this, simply because it is the highest form of movement art you will see this winter.