Hottest Hungarian athletes to watch at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo draw closer (Feb 6-22), Hungary is likely to dispatch one of its larger winter Olympic delegations in recent history, who will compete in five different disciplines. Hungary may be more famous for its summer Olympic success but the buildup to Milan-Cortina is drawing attention to a number of Hungarian athletes who could cause a stir by achieving personal bests, national milestones and even historic results.

Short-track speed skating remains Hungary’s flagship sport

The short-track is still Hungary’s main winter sport, however, the terrain has not been the same since the last Olympics. Good results at the ISU Short Track World Tour resulted in the country securing six quota places in the short-track competitive events, such as the women and men competing as a squad in the 5000 m relay. Betting fans can check out SportyTrader for more sports betting predictions and tips for the various disciplines at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Athletes expected to carry the Hungarian flag include:

·         Petra Jászapati: a seasoned short-track skater with Olympic experience and a member of the 2022 mixed relay bronze-winning team, remains a significant women’s athlete.

·         Moon Wonjun: a member of the Hungarian men’s team that qualified the relay team through its strong performances.

·         Dániel Tiborcz: a member of the male short-trackers who help Hungarian relays believe.

·         Bence Nógrádi: a rising male skater expected to contribute across distances.

Maja Somodi and Diána Laura Vegi were the top-ranking female qualifiers for the short-track event and are expected to compete in the individual events as well as support the team events.

This shows that in the post-Liu brother era, Hungary is shifting to younger athletes as homegrown skaters step up after nationality changes of old Winter Olympians.

Cross-country skiing

The Hungarian team has named four cross-country selections who qualified for the Milan-Cortina Olympics via international events.

·         Lara Vanda Laczko is the leading female endurance skier on the Hungarian team.

·         Sara Ponya is also a solid contender in the women’s cross-country team.

·         Adam Buki is one of Hungary’s male cross-country skiers competing at the World Cup level.

·         Adam Konya is a veteran Hungarian cross-country competitor with consistent results on the international scene.

Hungary’s decision to field four athletes for this endurance discipline reflects one of the deepest cross-country lineups it has ever had.

Alpine skiing

Hungary is likely to be represented by one male and one female alpine skier through the basic quota places allocated based on the FIS points system.

Zita Toth will be the woman representing Hungary after her consistent success in alpine giant slalom and slalom events.

The male counterpart is yet to be announced, but a decision is expected any time.

These athletes may not be a threat for medals against mountain powerhouses but they do bring a certain technical precision and fast improvement to the event.

Figure skating

Hungarian skaters have placed high enough at the World Championships to secure a place in pair skating in the Olympics. The internationally experienced pair of Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko will compete for Hungary.

Their engagement on the global scene indicates the continued rise of Hungary’s investment in figure skating. The competition combines athleticism and performance artistry that can attract considerable interest during the Games.

Speed skating

Hungary qualified a male speed skater via the ISU World Cup circuit. While this entry may not be a medal contender, their long-track competition qualification signals a significant expansion beyond the short-track and the country’s willingness to venture into a fiercely competitive arena.

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A complex challenge for Hungary

The Hungarian appeal at the 2026 Olympics will not be confined to medal counts but to momentum. Selected athletes will be out to show the world that Hungary is more than just a summer nation when it comes to winter sports. Their performances are the result of years of international competition and strategic development with the growing belief that Hungary has a place on the winter Olympic stage. As the Milano Cortina Games draw closer, these athletes are not just living history but also actively shaping Hungary’s Olympic future. The stacked fields for the medals will be hard-fought, while Hungary’s line-up reflects a burgeoning winter sporting identity, driven by depth, determination and ambition for new Olympic glory.