Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Latvia at the
2026 Winter Olympics
IOC codeLAT
NOCLatvian Olympic Committee
Websitewww.olimpiade.lv (in Latvian)
in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
6 February 2026 (2026-02-06) – 22 February 2026 (2026-02-22)
Competitors67 (52 men and 15 women) in 9 sports
Flag bearers (opening)Kaspars Daugaviņš & Dženifera Ģērmane
Flag bearers (closing)Roberts Kruzbergs & Patrīcija Eiduka
Medals
Ranked 24th
Gold
0
Silver
1
Bronze
1
Total
2
Winter Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
 Soviet Union (1956–1988)

Latvia competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from 6 to 22 February 2026. This was the nation's thirteenth appearance at the Olympic Winter Games. The nation made its debut at Chamonix 1924, and except for missing the Lake Placid games in 1932 because of the Great Depression, participated in every winter games until World War II, making its return to the 1936 games in Garmisch Partenkirchen. After the war, the nation was occupied by the Soviet Union. Except for St Moritz 1948, from the 1956 Cortina games through Calgary 1988, Latvians competed as part of Soviet teams. Following the Fall of the USSR in 1991, Latvia regained independence, and it has competed in every Winter Olympics since the Albertville games in 1992.

Kaspars Daugaviņš and Dženifera Ģērmane were the country's flagbearers during the opening ceremony.[1][2][3] Meanwhile, Roberts Kruzbergs and Patrīcija Eiduka were the country's flagbearers during the closing ceremony.[4][5]

Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors participating at the Games per sport/discipline.

Sport Men Women Total
Alpine skiing 1 2 3
Biathlon 4 4 8
Bobsleigh 8 0 8
Cross-country skiing 3 4 7
Figure skating 2 0 2
Ice hockey 25 0 25
Luge 6 4 10
Short-track speed skating 2 0 2
Skeleton 1 1 2
Total 52 15 67

Medallists

The following Latvian competitors won medals at the games. In the discipline sections below, the medallists' names are bolded.

Medal Name Sport Event Date
 Silver Elīna Ieva Bota Luge Women's singles 10 February
 Bronze Roberts Krūzbergs Short-track speed skating Men's 1500 metres 14 February

Alpine skiing

Latvia qualified one male and one female alpine skier through the basic quota.[6]

Athlete Event Run 1 Run 2 Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Elvis Opmanis Men's downhill N/a 1:59.24 32
Men's super-G 1:32.05 35
Men's giant slalom 1:24.90 48 1:18.20 45 2:43.10 45
Liene Bondare Women's slalom 53.95 53 58.30 42 1:52.25 43
Dženifera Ģērmane Women's slalom DNF

Biathlon

Latvia qualified four female and four male biathletes through the 2024–25 Biathlon World Cup score.[7][8]

Men
Athlete Event Time Misses Rank
Renārs Birkentāls Men's individual 57:00.7 2 (1+1+0+0) 31
Rihards Lozbers 1:05:25.7 8 (3+4+1+0) 88
Edgars Mise 1:04:51.0 6 (1+1+1+3) 83
Andrejs Rastorgujevs 57:51.4 3 (1+0+1+1) 41
Renārs Birkentāls Men's sprint 26:41.4 5 (3+2) 77
Rihards Lozbers 25:05.2 2 (1+1) 32
Edgars Mise 25:42.9 1 (0+1) 52
Andrejs Rastorgujevs 24:56.9 1 (0+1) 30
Rihards Lozbers Men's pursuit 36:29.2 7 (3+1+1+2) 47
Edgars Mise LAP
Andrejs Rastorgujevs 34:40.8 3 (0+0+1+2) 29
Andrejs Rastorgujevs
Renārs Birkentāls
Rihards Lozbers
Edgars Mise
Team relay 1:26:39.1 18 (5+13) 18
Women
Athlete Event Time Misses Rank
Baiba Bendika Women's individual 44:20.8 4 (0+1+2+1) 22
Sanita Buliņa 46:55.5 3 (1+0+1+1) 58
Annija Keita Sabule 47:21.1 3 (1+1+1+0) 64
Estere Volfa 45:07.7 3 (1+1+0+1) 36
Baiba Bendika Women's sprint 22:03.5 2 (0+2) 15
Sanita Buliņa 22:48.2 0 (0+0) 38
Annija Keita Sabule 24:00.3 2 (1+1) 71
Estere Volfa 22:07.6 1 (0+1) 16
Baiba Bendika Women's pursuit 34:17.2 7 (2+2+1+2) 42
Sanita Buliņa 35:08.1 4 (0+1+0+3) 53
Estere Volfa 31:49.9 1 (0+0+1+0) 11
Baiba Bendika Women's mass start 39:49.8 5 (3+1+1+0) 22
Estere Volfa 39:50.1 4 (0+0+2+2) 23
Estere Volfa
Baiba Bendika
Sanita Buliņa
Annija Keita Sabule
Team relay 1:15:59.4 17 (3+14) 17
Mixed
Athlete Event Time Misses Rank
Andrejs Rastorgujevs
Renārs Birkentāls
Baiba Bendika
Estere Volfa
Relay 1:07:28.5 11 (2+9) 12

Bobsleigh

Athlete Event Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Jēkabs Kalenda*
Matīss Miknis
Two-man 55.68 9 55.75 4 55.64 10 55.61 7 3:42.68 8
Jēkabs Kalenda*
Mairis Kļava
Matīss Miknis
Lauris Kaufmanis
Four-man 54.64 10 55.23 17 54.85 10 55.00 9 3:39.72 10

Cross-country skiing

Latvia qualified one male and one female cross-country skier through the basic quota.[9] Following the completion of the 2024–25 FIS Cross-Country World Cup, Latvia qualified a further two female and two male athletes.[9]

Distance

Men

Athlete Event Classical Freestyle Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Deficit Rank
Lauris Kaparkalējs Men's freestyle N/a 24:36.2 76 N/a
Niks Saulītis Men's freestyle N/a 24:33.4 75 N/a
Men's classical LAP 51 N/a
Raimo Vīgants Men's freestyle N/a 22:48.3 46 N/a
Men's skiathlon 25:29.2 46 25:57.2 54 52:01.8 5:50.8 51
Men's classical 2:22:20.2 31 N/a

Women

Athlete Event Classical Freestyle Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Deficit Rank
Kitija Auziņa Women's freestyle N/a 26:36.6 61 N/a
Patrīcija Eiduka Women's freestyle N/a 24:33.3 15 N/a
Women's skiathlon 29:42.1 29 27:46.4 14 58:02.4 +4:17.2 23
Women's classical 2:25:42.1 11 N/a
Linda Kaparkalēja Women's freestyle N/a 29:53.3 94 N/a
Samanta Krampe Women's freestyle N/a 31:20.7 101 N/a
Patrīcija Eiduka
Kitija Auziņa
Linda Kaparkalēja
Samanta Krampe
4 × 7.5 km relay N/a LAP 17
Sprint

Men

Athlete Event Qualification Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Lauris Kaparkalējs Men's sprint 3:28.33 57 Did not advance
Niks Saulītis 3:38.38 77 Did not advance
Raimo Vīgants 3:26.26 52 Did not advance
Lauris Kaparkalējs
Raimo Vīgants
Men's team sprint 6:05.25 17 N/a Did not advance

Women

Athlete Event Qualification Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Kitija Auziņa Women's sprint 4:16.03 70 Did not advance
Linda Kaparkalēja 4:27.62 82 Did not advance
Samanta Krampe 4:22.81 76 Did not advance
Kitija Auziņa
Patrīcija Eiduka
Women's team sprint 6:59.90 12 Q N/a 21:56.05 13

Figure skating

In the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, the United States, Latvia secured two quota in each of the men's singles.[10]

Athlete Event SP/SD FP/FD Total
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Fedirs Kuļišs Men's singles 66.86 28 Did not advance
Deniss Vasiļjevs 82.44 17 Q 144.02 18 226.46 18

Ice hockey

Summary

Key:

Team Event Group stage Qualification
playoff
Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Latvia men's Men's tournament  United States
L 5–1
 Germany
W 4–3
 Denmark
L 4–2
4 Q  Sweden
L 5–1
Did not advance 10

Men's tournament

Latvia men's national ice hockey team qualified a team of 25 players by winning a final qualification tournament.[11]

Roster

The first six players of Latvia's roster were announced on 16 June 2025.[12] The remaining roster was named on 6 January 2026.[13][14] On 12 January, forward Eriks Mateiko was ruled out for the remainder of the season and Olympics after his Achilles tendon was accidentally cut by a skate blade during a Hershey Bears game;[15] he was replaced on the roster by Anrī Ravinskis.[16] On 18 January, forward Rodrigo Ābols was ruled out after suffering a lower-body injury the previous day, and was replaced by Rihards Bukarts.[17] On 10 February, Kaspars Daugaviņš was named Latvia's captain, with Uvis Balinskis and Zemgus Girgensons serving as alternate captains.[18]

Head coach: Harijs Vītoliņš[19]

No. Pos. Name Height Weight Birthdate Team
3 D Alberts Šmits 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 93 kg (205 lb) (2007-12-02)2 December 2007 (aged 18) Jukurit
9 F Renārs Krastenbergs 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 87 kg (192 lb) (1998-12-26)26 December 1998 (aged 27) HC Olomouc
11 F Dans Ločmelis 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 81 kg (179 lb) (2004-01-21)21 January 2004 (aged 22) Providence Bruins
13 F Rihards Bukarts 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 84 kg (185 lb) (1995-12-31)31 December 1995 (aged 30) HC Prešov
16 F Kaspars DaugaviņšC 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 102 kg (225 lb) (1988-05-18)18 May 1988 (aged 37) Kassel Huskies
17 F Mārtiņš Dzierkals 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 91 kg (201 lb) (1997-04-04)4 April 1997 (aged 28) Sparta Praha
21 F Rūdolfs Balcers 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 80 kg (176 lb) (1997-04-08)8 April 1997 (aged 28) ZSC Lions
22 F Sandis Vilmanis 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 88 kg (194 lb) (2004-01-23)23 January 2004 (aged 22) Florida Panthers
23 F Teodors Bļugers 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 86 kg (190 lb) (1994-08-15)15 August 1994 (aged 31) Vancouver Canucks
26 D Uvis BalinskisA 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 90 kg (198 lb) (1996-08-01)1 August 1996 (aged 29) Florida Panthers
27 D Oskars Cibuļskis 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 94 kg (207 lb) (1988-04-09)9 April 1988 (aged 37) Herning Blue Fox
28 F Zemgus GirgensonsA 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 90 kg (198 lb) (1994-01-05)5 January 1994 (aged 32) Tampa Bay Lightning
29 D Ralfs Freibergs 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 88 kg (194 lb) (1991-05-17)17 May 1991 (aged 34) Vítkovice Ridera
30 G Elvis Merzļikins 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 90 kg (198 lb) (1994-04-13)13 April 1994 (aged 31) Columbus Blue Jackets
31 G Artūrs Šilovs 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 93 kg (205 lb) (2001-03-22)22 March 2001 (aged 24) Pittsburgh Penguins
34 F Eduards Tralmaks 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 100 kg (220 lb) (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 28) Grand Rapids Griffins
43 F Anrī Ravinskis 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 94 kg (207 lb) (2003-01-02)2 January 2003 (aged 23) Abbotsford Canucks
50 G Kristers Gudļevskis 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 97 kg (214 lb) (1992-07-31)31 July 1992 (aged 33) Fischtown Pinguins
55 D Roberts Mamčics 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 104 kg (229 lb) (1995-04-06)6 April 1995 (aged 30) Energie Karlovy Vary
71 F Roberts Bukarts 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 84 kg (185 lb) (1990-06-27)27 June 1990 (aged 35) Dukla Trenčín
72 D Jānis Jaks 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 89 kg (196 lb) (1995-08-22)22 August 1995 (aged 30) Energie Karlovy Vary
77 D Kristaps Zīle 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 90 kg (198 lb) (1997-12-24)24 December 1997 (aged 28) Bílí Tygři Liberec
94 D Kristiāns Rubīns 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 99 kg (218 lb) (1997-12-11)11 December 1997 (aged 28) Škoda Plzeň
95 F Oskars Batņa 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 106 kg (234 lb) (1995-05-07)7 May 1995 (aged 30) Pelicans
97 F Haralds Egle 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 86 kg (190 lb) (1996-05-11)11 May 1996 (aged 29) Energie Karlovy Vary
Group play
Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 3 3 0 0 0 16 5 +11 9 Advance to quarterfinals
2  Germany 3 1 0 0 2 7 10 −3 3[a] Advance to qualification playoffs
3  Denmark 3 1 0 0 2 8 11 −3 3[a]
4  Latvia 3 1 0 0 2 7 12 −5 3[a]
Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: Tiebreak criteria
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c Head-to-head points: 3 each. Head-to-head goal difference: Germany +1; Denmark 0; Latvia −1.
12 February 2026 (2026-02-12)
21:10
Latvia 1–5
(1–1, 0–3, 0–1)
 United StatesPalaItalia, Milan
Attendance: 11,288
Game reference
Elvis Merzļikins
Artūrs Šilovs
GoaliesConnor HellebuyckReferees:
Michael Campbell
Kyle Rehman
Linesmen:
Albert Ankerstjerne
Libor Suchánek
0–105:29 – B. Tkachuk (M. Tkachuk, Werenski)
Krastenbergs (Girgensons) – 07:251–1
1–230:38 – Nelson (J. Hughes, Trocheck)
1–337:35 – Thompson (Eichel, Q. Hughes) (PP)
1–439:48 – Nelson (J. Hughes, M. Tkachuk)
1–542:35 – Matthews (Eichel, Q. Hughes) (PP)
8 minPenalties8 min
18Shots38

14 February 2026 (2026-02-14)
12:10
Germany 3–4
(2–1, 0–1, 1–2)
 LatviaFiera Milano, Milan
Attendance: 4,033
Game reference
Philipp GrubauerGoaliesArtūrs ŠilovsReferees:
Gord Dwyer
Sean MacFarlane
Linesmen:
Scott Cherrey
Onni Hautamäki
Reichel (Kahun, Kälble) – 02:061–0
1–115:48 – Ločmelis (Girgensons, Krastenbergs) (PP)
Kälble (Tiffels) – 16:562–1
2–228:02 – Ločmelis (Balcers, Balinskis) (PP2)
2–348:32 – Tralmaks (Girgensons, Jaks)
2–451:37 – Krastenbergs (Daugaviņš, Šmits)
Stützle (Draisaitl, Peterka) (EA) – 57:413–4
8 minPenalties8 min
29Shots22

15 February 2026 (2026-02-15)
19:10
Denmark 4–2
(3–1, 0–1, 1–0)
 LatviaFiera Milano, Milan
Attendance: 3,983
Game reference
Frederik AndersenGoaliesArtūrs ŠilovsReferees:
Eric Furlatt
André Schrader
Linesmen:
David Brisebois
Jake Davis
Olesen (Aagaard) – 00:231–0
Aagaard (Olesen, Wejse) (PP) – 04:542–0
Ehlers (Bjorkstrand, Lauridsen) – 16:283–0
3–119:44 – Zīle (Jaks, Tralmaks) (EA)
3–226:47 – Tralmaks (Zīle, Girgensons)
Olesen (Lauridsen, Eller) (EN) – 57:384–2
10 minPenalties10 min
21Shots35
Qualification play-offs
17 February 2026 (2026-02-17)
21:10
Sweden 5–1
(2–0, 1–1, 2–0)
 LatviaPalaItalia, Milan
Attendance: 11,088
Game reference
Jacob MarkströmGoaliesElvis MerzļikinsReferees:
Gord Dwyer
Sean MacFarlane
Linesmen:
Daniel Hynek
Jonny Murray
Kempe (Eriksson Ek, Nylander) – 10:551–0
Landeskog (Raymond, Zibanejad) – 11:362–0
Forsberg (Karlsson, Broberg) – 27:363–0
3–130:47 – Tralmaks (Smits, Bļugers)
Zibanejad (Raymond, Landeskog) – 45:544–1
Nylander (Raymond, Dahlin) – 53:185–1
6 minPenalties4 min
28Shots21

Luge

Men
Athlete Event Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Kristers Aparjods Singles 53.221 4 53.113 4 53.208 7 53.070 4 3:32.612 4
Gints Bērziņš 53.462 10 53.424 9 53.415 9 53.742 17 3:34.043 10
Mārtiņš Bots
Roberts Plūme
Doubles 52.604 6 52.680 5 N/a 1:45.284 5
Lūkass Krasts
Eduards Ševics-Mikeļševics
52.749 9 52.934 11 N/a 1:45.683 9
Women
Athlete Event Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Kendija Aparjode Singles 55.059 24 52.961 8 53.049 8 52.919 5 3:33.988 16
Elīna Ieva Bota 52.878 5 52.805 3 52.939 4 52.921 6 3:31.543
Kitija Bogdanova
Marta Robežniece
Doubles 53.492 4 53.304 3 N/a 1:46.796 4
Mixed
Athlete Event Women's singles Men's doubles Men's singles Women's doubles Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Elīna Ieva Bota
Mārtiņš Bots / Roberts Plūme
Kristers Aparjods
Marta Robežniece / Kitija Bogdanova
Team relay 55.684 2 55.800 5 54.989 3 56.276 4 3:42.749 4

Short-track speed skating

Latvia qualified two male short-track speed skaters after the conclusion of the 2025–26 ISU Short Track World Tour.[20]

Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Reinis Bērziņš Men's 500 m 41.758 3 Did not advance
Men's 1000 m 1:25.741 2 Q 1:25.379 4 Did not advance
Roberts Krūzbergs Men's 1000 m 1:25.341 3 ADV 1:27.133 2 Q 1:23.700 3 q FA 1:24.681 5
Men's 1500 m N/a 2:18.237 1 Q 2:53.239 3 ADV FA 2:12.376

Qualification legend: Q - Qualify based on position in heat; q - Qualify based on time in field; FA - Qualify to medal final; ADV - Advanced based on referee decision

Skeleton

Athlete Event Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Total
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Emīls Indriksons Men's 57.29 17 57.11 17 56.95 16 57.15 18 3:48.50 18
Marta Andžāne Women's 58.37 19 58.15 18 58.32 18 58.09 12 3:52.93 17
Emīls Indriksons
Marta Andžāne
Mixed team 1:01.67 12 59.99 13 N/a 2:01.66 13

See also

References

  1. ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony: All Flagbearers, all nations - complete list". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ^ Roche, Calum (6 February 2026). "2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony: order and flag bearers by country". Diario AS. Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Karogus Milānas-Kortīnas Ziemas Olimpiskajās spēlēs nesīs Ģērmane un Daugaviņš" [Ģērmane and Daugavinš will carry the flags at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics] (in Latvian). Latvian Olympic Committee. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony: full list of flagbearers for every nation". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  5. ^ Moore, Casey L.; Bowers, Rachel G (22 February 2026). "Olympics closing ceremony highlights: Milano Cortina Games wrap up in style". USA Today. New York City, New York, USA. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Alpine Skiing quotas list for Olympic Winter Games 2026". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  7. ^ "World Cup Standings 2024/25". Eurosport.com. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. ^ "IBU qualifying points". International Biathlon Union. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Cross-Country quotas list for Olympic Winter Games 2026". International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  10. ^ Jae-youl Kim; Colin Smith (4 April 2025). "Communication No. 2696 - ENTRIES/PARTICIPATION 2026 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES (OWG) SINGLE & PAIR SKATING AND ICE DANCE" (pdf). International Skating Union. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Latvian ice-hockey teams wins ticket to 2026 Olympic Games". LETA. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Latvia names 1st 6 players to preliminary Olympics roster". National Hockey League. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Nosauc Latvijas izlases sastāvu olimpiskajām spēlēm". www.lhf.lv (in Latvian). 6 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  14. ^ "Latvia roster for 2026 Winter Olympics includes Merzlikins, Silovs". NHL.com. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Latvia to make injury replacement for the Olympics with Eriks Mateiko out". AP News. Associated Press. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  16. ^ Steiner, Ben (13 January 2026). "Canucks prospect Anri Ravinskis joins Latvia's Olympic team as injury replacement". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  17. ^ Ellis, Steven (19 January 2026). "Flyers' Rodrigo Abols to miss 2026 Olympics with Latvia". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  18. ^ Kuehl, Tyler (10 February 2026). "Former NHLer Daugavins named captain of Latvia's men's Olympic hockey team". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  19. ^ "Team roster: Latvia". iihf.com. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Communication No. 2755 XXV Olympic Winter Games 2026 Milano Cortina Qualified quota places Short Track" (PDF). www.isu.org. Lausanne, Switzerland: International Skating Union. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.