Bart Swings is a distinguished Belgian long track speed skater and inline speed skater, renowned for his remarkable achievements in both disciplines. His professional journey began at the 2011 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships, where he showcased his potential by finishing 17th in the 5000 m event. This early experience laid the groundwork for his future successes, as he quickly progressed to the 2012 World Allround Speed Skating Championships, where he secured a commendable 9th place overall, setting personal and national records in the process.
Swings reached a significant milestone in his career at the 2013 World Allround Speed Skating Championships, clinching the Bronze medal and marking Belgium’s presence on the world stage. His prowess continued to shine at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he earned a silver medal in the inaugural Mass Start event, further solidifying his status as a top competitor. Four years later, he achieved the pinnacle of success by winning the gold medal in the same event at the 2022 Winter Olympics, making history as Belgium’s first individual male athlete to secure a gold medal in the Winter Games.
In addition to his Olympic triumphs, Swings has excelled in various championships, including a bronze medal at the 2021 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships. His versatility is evident in his inline skating career, where he set a new course record at the 2022 Berlin Marathon and secured his eighth victory at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON inline skating event.
Swings has also made a significant impact at The World Games, winning seven medals, including four golds, across two editions. His dedication to excellence is complemented by his academic pursuits, as he studies for an engineer’s degree at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. With a strong competitive spirit and a commitment to his craft, Bart Swings continues to inspire future generations of athletes.
