A Canadian speed skater has made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics! Valérie Maltais, a true Olympic veteran, has secured Canada's first medal of the games in the women's 3000m event. But here's where it gets controversial...
On February 7th, Maltais skated her heart out, clocking an impressive 3:56.93. This time, however, was just shy of the gold, as Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida, fueled by her home crowd, set a new Olympic record of 3:54.28. Maltais' time matched the previous record, set at Beijing 2022, an incredible feat in itself.
In a thrilling finish, Ragne Wiklund of Norway snatched the silver with a time of 3:56.54, edging Maltais by a mere 0.39 seconds. This is Maltais' first individual Olympic medal, but she's no stranger to the podium. At Beijing 2022, she won gold in the women's team pursuit, alongside Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin, an achievement that made her the first Canadian speed skater to win medals in both long and short track events.
Canada's women have a rich history in the 3000m, with this medal being the fifth for the nation in this event. The previous four were all bronzes, with Cindy Klassen securing two at Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006, followed by Kristina Groves at Vancouver 2010 and Weidemann at Beijing 2022.
Weidemann, who also competed in this race, finished fifth with a time of 3:59.24.
So, what do you think? Is Maltais' bronze a testament to her skill and determination, or is there a bit of disappointment in missing out on the gold? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
