Winter Olympics 2026: Canada Scores Its First Big Win In Speed Skating, Valerie Maltais Wins her First Ever Individual Medal
Canada Opens The Medal Tally with Bronze in Speed Skating at Milano Cortina 2026 (Winter Olympics).
Winter Olympics 2026 (Milano Cortina) (Milan, Italy): A huge wave of excitement and thrill aired across Canada as Valèrie Maltais (Canadian Olympic Athlete/Speed Skater) scores the first victory medal (Bronze Medal) after finishing Third in Winter Olympic Games (2026) in Long Track Speed Skating (Womens 3000m) at Milan (Italy). A long time in making Valèrie has been skating since childhood and got her first international breakthrough at Miercurea Ciuc (Uruguay) at ISU World Junior Champioship (Womens 1500m, 2006) at the age of 19. This Win marks as her Career's First Individual Medal in Olympics and Opens the tally for Canada in Milano Cortina 2026 Medal Table. Canada currently sits at 13th Rank at the bottom of the Scorecard with People Republic of China (Silver Medal in Snowboard) & Bulgaria (Silver Medal in Snowboard).
The Five-Time Olympian expressed her gratitude after winning as, "First, I felt dizzy, My legs were shaking a little bit. After the performance, everything goes so quickly. I tried as much as possible to take the moment in. It will sink in later. I looked into the stands and saw my family, my mental performance coach and the Canadian fans. I took a deep breath and enjoyed that moment."
Speed Skating Champions (Left To Right: Ragne Wiklund, Francesca Lollobrigida, Valèrie Maltais), Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026 (Source: Team Canada: X)
While speaking with Speed Skating Canada, Maltais said, "After 2022, I went into this phase where I told myself I would keep going only if I felt I could win an individual medal, I gave myself two years to really commit, to train hard and focus on the 3000m… (In 2024) I had a discussion with my husband and said, ‘Give me two more years…’ I did not want to come to these Games just to participate. I wanted to show up at the next Olympics as a contender for medals."
Maltais ended the race in 3 min 56 sec 93 Hundredth of sec which matched her previous record time in Beijing Olympics (2022), behind Norwegian Olympian Ragne Wiklund (Rank 2, Time 3:56.54), who won Silver and Italain Olympian Francesca Lollobrigida (Rank 1, Time 3:54.28) wins the Gold.
This accomplishment has lead to keep Canadian hopes high during the Winter Olympic 2026 in Milan (Italy). Although, the Champion does have a great pursuit ahead as the next games, she is going to part of are Women's Short Track Speed Skating (1500m), Women's Mass Start and Womens Team Pursuit. Uptil, now Valèrie Maltias' biggest career highlight was Beijing Olympics 2022 where she won Gold in Women's Team Pursuit alongside Ivanie Blondin, Isabelle Weidemann. Click here to read more about Valèrie's career, thus far.
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About Olympics
Olympics is world biggest and widely know multi-cultural sports event which includes globally more 200 participating countries with approximately 400 events. The games dates back to 480 B.C. with events like boxing, combat sport and more. The games provide a stage for athletes competiting from across the world to showcase their talent in front of the world. The olympic also host Paralympic Games during Winter Games. The Games are held in form of Summer Olympic & Winter Olympic Games being held on Alternate 2 year span period. The Upcoming games coming to be Los Angeles (LA) 2028, French Alps (2030 - Winter Olympic & Para Olympic Games).
Learn more about olympic games at olympics.com
About Milano Cortina 2026
Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 established in Dec (2019) became official olympic host and organizer for Olympic & Paralympic Games on June 2019 (Signed Official Olympic Contract). The Winter Games Event will be hosting 12 nations, 17 Games during 16 Days long period. The Milano Cortina Winter Olympic is scheduled between Feb 6 - 16 (2026).
Click here to read more about Milano Cortina 2026 (Winter Olympic Games).
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