Canada’s Maltais Claims First Milano Cortina 2026 Medal in Thrilling Speed Skating Race
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games have their first Canadian medalist! Valérie Maltais secured a bronze medal in the women’s 3000m speed skating event at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, finishing with a time of 3:56.93.
Lollobrigida Sets Olympic Record for Italy
The race was dominated by Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida, who not only won gold but as well shattered the Olympic record with a stunning time of 3:54.28. The home crowd roared as Lollobrigida skated, adding to the electric atmosphere. Her time surpassed the previous record, set at Beijing 2022, by over two seconds.
A Close Finish for Silver
Norway’s Ragne Wiklund claimed the silver medal, finishing just ahead of Maltais with a time of 3:56.54. The competition was incredibly tight, with fractions of a second separating the top three skaters.
Maltais Makes History as a Dual-Discipline Medalist
This bronze marks a significant achievement for Valérie Maltais, representing her first individual Olympic medal. She previously excelled in both long track and short track speed skating, winning gold in the women’s team pursuit at Beijing 2022 alongside Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin, and a silver medal in the women’s 3000m relay in short track at Sochi 2014. She is the first Canadian speed skater to win Olympic medals in both disciplines.
Canada’s Continued Success in Women’s 3000m
Canada has a strong history in the women’s 3000m event, with this being their fifth Olympic medal in the distance. Prior to Maltais’s bronze, Canada secured four bronze medals through Cindy Klassen (Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006), Kristina Groves (Vancouver 2010), and Isabelle Weidemann (Beijing 2022).
Dutch Dominance Challenged
The race also marked a notable shift in the landscape of women’s 3000m speed skating. For the first time since the 2010 Vancouver Games, the Netherlands failed to secure a medal in this event. Joy Beune, the reigning world champion, finished fourth.
Did you grasp?
Francesca Lollobrigida celebrated her 35th birthday on the day she won her Olympic gold medal!
FAQ
What medal did Valérie Maltais win?
Valérie Maltais won a bronze medal.
Who won the gold medal in the women’s 3000m?
Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy won the gold medal.
What is notable about Valérie Maltais’s Olympic career?
She is the first Canadian speed skater to win Olympic medals in both long track and short track speed skating.
How many medals has Canada won in the women’s 3000m?
Canada has won five medals in the women’s 3000m, all bronze, with Valérie Maltais being the latest medalist.
Want to stay up-to-date on all the action from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games? Visit the official Olympic Canada website for schedules, results, and athlete profiles.
