Isabelle Weidemann, along with Canadian speed skaters Ivanie Blondin and Valérie Maltais, is aiming to defend their Olympic title in the women’s team pursuit event. Weidemann, a seasoned long track athlete, is not just focused on winning medals at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. As she gears up for her third Olympic appearance, the 30-year-old is acknowledging the emergence of new talents within Canada’s 15-member squad, comprising eight women and seven men, striving to surpass the five-medal achievement from the previous Games in Beijing four years ago.
Reflecting on her growth as an athlete and an individual over the past quadrennial cycle, Weidemann, hailing from Ottawa, expressed her veteran approach towards the Games. She highlighted the infusion of fresh energy from the new faces in the team and expressed pride in being part of this dynamic group. After her remarkable performance at the 2022 Games in Beijing, where she clinched individual silver and bronze medals and led as the flag-bearer during the closing ceremony, Weidemann intends to take on a more prominent leadership role in Italy. Her goal is to support and guide the next generation of athletes to ensure they feel encouraged and empowered.
Valérie Maltais, aged 35, is gearing up for her fifth Winter Games and second appearance in long track, having previously competed in short track at the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Olympics. The La Baie native expressed deep emotional attachment to representing Canada and shared the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her Olympic journey since her debut in Vancouver. Maltais is excited about her fifth Olympic experience and is determined to make the most of it alongside Team Canada.
The trio of Weidemann, Maltais, and Blondin enters the upcoming Games with strong momentum, having collectively secured eight individual World Cup medals this season, including gold, four silver, and three bronze. They have also stood on the podium three times in team pursuit, claiming a victory and two silver medals. Béatrice Lamarche, another standout performer, earned her first World Cup medal at the season opener, setting the stage for her Olympic debut in Milan Cortina. Lamarche will lead a group of Olympic debutants, including sprinters Rose Laliberté-Roy and Carolina Hiller-Donnelly, alongside distance specialist Laura Hall.
On the men’s front, Canada’s team will be spearheaded by Olympic medalists Ted-Jan Bloemen and Laurent Dubreuil. Bloemen, a former world record holder aged 39, aims to add to his previous Olympic achievements, including a gold in the 10,000m event in Pyeongchang. Dubreuil, aged 33, boasts an impressive record with over 50 medals on the World Cup circuit and is determined to offer his best performance at the upcoming Games.
Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu, a returning Olympian, joins the team alongside newcomers like sprinters Cédrick Brunet and Anders Johnson, and middle-distance skaters David La Rue and Daniel Hall. La Rue secured his Olympic berth in the men’s 1,500 event at a recent qualifier in Quebec City. The Canadian long track speed skating legacy continues with a team that includes athletes with Olympian parents, further enriching the country’s strong winter sports heritage. The team is poised to showcase their blend of speed, technique, and mental resilience on the international stage in Milan Cortina.