Estonian speed skater Marten Liiv will be competing in the 500 meters at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina this Saturday. The broadcast will begin at 17:55 local time, featuring commentary from Helar Osila and Mart Markus, with reporting by Maarja Värv. Despite a tough start in the Olympics, finishing 14th in the 1000 meters due to technical issues, Liiv is looking forward to this shorter distance where he previously achieved a silver medal at the European Championships two years ago.

Liiv, who is 29 years old, expressed confidence in his current form heading into the games, particularly after recent performance improvements observed during the World Cup season, where he placed sixth overall. His experiences and challenges in previous races, such as the loss of speed and lactate buildup, have motivated him to leverage his training for the 500 meters, a distance that he feels suits his capabilities better compared to the longer format he initially faced in the Olympics.

As an Olympic veteran participating in his third games, Liiv aims to capitalize on his experience and prior successes at shorter distances to achieve a strong performance. The Estonian public is hopeful for his success, and broadcasts of his events are expected to draw considerable local attention, showing the investment in Liiv's potential as a medal contender in this event.