With 100 days remaining before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Hungary's delegation is aiming to shine in short track speed skating and figure skating, Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) officials said Wednesday.

MOB president Zsolt Gyulay said Hungary plans to send 17 to 19 athletes in short track speed skating, figure skating, cross-country skiing, curling and snowboarding.

Liu Shaoang (R) of Hungary competes during the Final A of men's 1000 race at ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating series in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Nov. 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

"We expect to earn valuable points and possibly one or two medals. Our strongest side is the short track, and we also have a chance in figure skating. But it is very competitive," Gyulay told Xinhua.

Hungary is among the few nations to have participated in all 24 editions of the Winter Olympic Games, winning 10 medals, including two golds, two silvers, and six bronzes.

In recent years, short track speed skating has gained popularity in Hungary, driven by the historic successes of its leading athletes.

"We had two star athletes, the Liu brothers, who now compete for China. However, behind them, many young Hungarian skaters have achieved notable results, including at the European championships," said Lajos Kosa, president of the Hungarian National Skating Association.

Liu Shaolin and Liu Shao'ang, along with their teammates, made history by winning Hungary's first-ever Winter Olympic gold medal in the men's 5,000-meter relay at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Liu Shao'ang won gold in the men's 500-meter event, becoming Hungary's first individual Winter Olympic champion. He also earned bronze medals from the men's 1,000-meter and mixed team relay together with Liu Shaolin and other teammates.

"Short track is currently the most popular winter sport in Hungary. Before the Beijing Olympics, we had about 200 skaters; now, the number exceeds 500," Kosa said. "We aim to qualify for all distances and all relay events in Milan."

Hungarian curling mixed doubles pair Raul Karasz and Linda Joo are working to qualify for their first Winter Olympics.

"I competed at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympics in Lausanne and have been training in curling for over ten years. Raul and I have played together for two years, and we will strive for Olympic qualification this December," said Joo, 22.

Karasz added: "I began curling about eight years ago and have mainly played mixed doubles. We have participated in many international tournaments, and hopefully we can qualify for Milan."