Valerie Maltais has celebrated a significant achievement by securing a bronze medal for Canada in the women’s 3,000 metre speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics held on Saturday. This notable performance not only showcases her talent but also marks a memorable moment for Canadian sports.

Maltais, hailing from La Baie, Quebec, completed the race with an impressive time of three minutes 56.93 seconds. The competition was fierce, with Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida clinching the gold medal on her home turf, setting an Olympic record with a remarkable time of 3:54.28. Norway's Ragne Wiklund followed closely, taking the silver with a time of 3:56.54.

This bronze medal adds to Maltais’s illustrious Olympic journey, bringing her total to three medals over her five Winter Games appearances. In 2014, she won a silver medal in the 3,000 metre short track relay, and in 2022, she secured a gold in the team pursuit event, showcasing her versatility and skill across different speed skating disciplines.

Leading up to the Games, Maltais was in prime form, having earned a silver medal and two bronze medals during four World Cup races at the same distance earlier in the season. Her consistent performance in these competitions undoubtedly set the stage for her success at the Olympics.

However, the event also saw notable performances from other Canadian skaters. Ottawa's Isabelle Weidemann, who had previously won a bronze medal four years ago in Beijing, finished in fifth place with a time of 3:59.24. Additionally, Laura Hall from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, made her Olympic debut and finished 13th out of 20 competitors, clocking in at 4:06.13.

Maltais's achievement stands as a testament to her dedication and resilience in the sport. The excitement of the Milan Cortina Olympics continues to be enriched by such compelling narratives of athletes representing their nations on the world stage.