At the Milan Cortina Games, Canadian speedskater Valérie Maltais made history by winning the bronze medal in the women’s 3,000 meters event, marking Canada’s first medal of the prestigious games. Maltais, hailing from La Baie, Quebec, clocked in at three minutes 56.93 seconds, competing against a tough field that included gold medallist Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy, who set an Olympic record with a time of 3:54.28.

The competition in Milan was challenging, and despite the strong performance from Maltais, she faced off against an impressive Lollobrigida and Ragne Wiklund of Norway, who secured the silver with a time of 3:56.54. Maltais’s achievement not only marks a personal milestone as her first individual Olympic medal but also reflects Canada’s ongoing presence in winter sports, especially in speed skating. Her success comes just in time to inspire fellow athletes participating in the ongoing games.

Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann, who previously won a bronze medal in the same event at the 2022 Beijing Games, finished fifth in this competition, showcasing the high level of competition among Canadian speedskaters. Maltais's bronze adds to Canada’s medal tally and represents a significant achievement in the country’s sporting history, emphasizing the potential for future successes as the games progress.