Colombia's 2026 Speed Skating Team Announced

ODYTA Summary

The Colombian Speed Skating Team for 2026 has been finalized with the last twelve athletes qualifying at the National Selective Camp held in Guarne, Antioquia. The team is now preparing to begin training for the World Championship, which will take place during the World Skate Games Asunción 2026 in October. The final twelve athletes completed the 28 spots on the national team: 14 in the senior category and 14 in the junior category. On the night of Saturday, August 15, seven new members were added, including four world champions and three athletes who will represent Colombia at a world championship for the first time: Juan Jacobo Mantilla Pinilla (Pro Skate Club, Santander, senior men's long distance; 7th national team selection, 11 world titles), Yicel Camila Giraldo Vásquez (Semillas del Valle, Valle del Cauca, senior women's long distance; 4th selection, 8 world titles), María Camila Vargas Pinzón (Tequendama AC, Bogotá, senior women's long distance; 3rd selection, 5 world titles), Manuela Saldarriaga Berdugo (Tequendama AC, Bogotá, junior women's speed; 2nd selection, 2 world titles), Mariana Ambuila Reinoso (Champions Club, Valle del Cauca, junior women's speed; debutant), Jerónimo Sánchez Echavarría (Jaguar Club, Antioquia, junior men's long distance; debutant), and Juan Manuel Chaux Valencia (Élite Skate Palmira, Valle del Cauca, junior men's long distance; debutant). On the morning of Sunday, August 16, the group was completed with five more athletes: three world champions and two debutants: Kevin Alejandro Lenis Angarita (Pro Skate Club, Santander, senior men's long distance; 5th selection, 1 world title), Manuela Rodríguez Torres (Bogotá Élite DC, Bogotá, junior women's long distance; 2nd selection, 2 world titles), Miguel Ricardo Fonseca (Cobos DC, Bogotá, senior men's long distance; 2nd selection, 1 world title), Luysa Fernanda Paternina Osorio (Bogotá Élite DC, Bogotá, junior women's long distance; debutant), and Matías Jerónimo Rodríguez Salinas (Tequendama Club, Bogotá, junior men's long distance; debutant).