Mark Carney Congratulates Team Canada Olympic Champions | Skating News

A wave of national pride swept across Canada this week as Prime Minister Mark Carney personally congratulated the nation’s women’s team pursuit speed skaters on their historic Olympic victory. The team, comprised of Ivanie Blondin, Valérie Maltais and Isabelle Weidemann, secured their second consecutive gold medal in the event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

A Moment of National Celebration

The congratulatory call, shared publicly on Thursday via Prime Minister Carney’s X account, showcased a heartfelt exchange between the leader and the athletes. During the call, the team proudly displayed their newly won medals. Carney offered his congratulations in French, stating “Félicitations,” which translates to “Congratulations.”

Did You Know? The victory represents the second consecutive Olympic gold medal for the Canadian women’s team pursuit speed skating team.

Carney emphasized the significance of repeating their success, stating, “To repeat! Unbelievable.” The Prime Minister also injected a touch of levity into the conversation, displaying a lawn bowling trophy he won from the Hamilton Italian Centre and playfully extending an invitation for the team to join him for a game.

Looking Ahead

Valérie Maltais continued her impressive performance at the Games on Friday, adding a bronze medal in the 1,500-metres to her collection, which already included a gold in the team pursuit and a bronze in the 3,000-metres. Both Maltais and Blondin are scheduled to compete in the women’s mass start semifinals on Saturday.

Expert Insight: The repeated success of the Canadian women’s team pursuit demonstrates a sustained commitment to excellence in speed skating, and highlights the impact of consistent training and teamwork on achieving peak athletic performance.

As of Friday, Canada’s overall medal count at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games stands at 16: four gold, five silver, and seven bronze. The Games are scheduled to conclude on Sunday, February 22, leaving opportunities for further Canadian athletes to compete and potentially add to the nation’s tally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What event did the Canadian team win gold in?

The Canadian women’s team won gold in the team pursuit speed skating event.

Who are the members of the gold medal-winning team?

The team consists of Ivanie Blondin, Valérie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann.

What is Canada’s current medal count?

Canada currently has 16 medals: four gold, five silver, and seven bronze.

What does this display of athletic achievement mean for the future of Canadian speed skating?