Portuguese speed skater Jéssica Rodrigues, 19, broke a national record over the weekend but narrowly missed Olympic qualification, sharpening her focus on the 2026 Winter Games.
Rodrigues achieved a time of 40.04 seconds in the 500-meter event at the Speed Skating World Cup in Calgary, Canada. This new national best placed her just 0.54 seconds shy of the minimum standard required for the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics.
Her performance marked a bittersweet moment for the young athlete, who earlier this year clinched the Junior World Champion title. It followed another national record she set the previous day.
On Friday, Rodrigues established a new Portuguese record in the 1,000 meters, completing the race in 1 minute, 19.07 seconds. Both records were set while competing in Division B of the Calgary World Cup stage.
The World Cup series continues to be a key platform for Rodrigues as she aims to secure her Olympic debut. She is one of several Portuguese athletes competing on the international circuit.
Compatriots Miguel Bravo and Afonso Silva are also scheduled to compete in Calgary on Monday morning.
Following the Calgary event, the World Cup circuit will move to Heerenveen, Netherlands, from December 5-7. The final stage will take place in Hamar, Norway, between December 12-14.