Speed Skaters Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois Lead Canada at Olympic Closing Ceremony

Two top Canadian speed skaters, Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois, will carry the national flag at the Olympic closing ceremony. This is a big honor for them and for speed skating in Canada.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois, accomplished speed skaters, have been chosen to carry the Canadian flag during the closing ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The announcement was made by the Canadian Olympic Committee on Saturday. Both athletes are multi-medal winners at these Games, with Maltais earning three medals in long track speed skating and Dubois securing two medals in short track speed skating.

This honor recognizes their significant contributions and sporting excellence throughout the Olympic event. The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

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A Closer Look at the Honored Athletes

Valérie Maltais, a veteran of four Olympic Games, has achieved a career total of five Olympic medals. At the Milano-Cortina Games, her successes included a gold medal in the women's team pursuit, alongside bronze medals in the women's 1500m and 3000m races. Her medal wins span both long track and short track speed skating disciplines.

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Steven Dubois, a two-time Olympian, also leaves these Games as a multi-medal winner. His achievements include a gold medal in the men's 500m short track event and a silver medal as part of the mixed team relay. Dubois has accumulated five Olympic medals over his career, including a gold from the Beijing Games in the men's 5,000m relay.

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Both athletes are noted for their dedication and performance, with the Canadian Olympic Committee stating they "represent the best of what each member of Team Canada brought to these Games."

Context of the Milano-Cortina Games

The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics have seen strong performances from Canada across various sports. Speed skating, in particular, has been a significant area of success, contributing 10 of Canada's 20 medals at these Games. The selection of Maltais and Dubois as flag bearers highlights the prominence of speed skating within the Canadian Olympic team's achievements at this event.

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Maltais, aged 35, and Dubois, aged 28, hail from Quebec and have consistently demonstrated high levels of athletic ability. Their selection reflects not only their individual medal hauls but also their embodiment of Canadian Olympic spirit.

Evidence

  • Canadian Olympic Committee Announcement: The official selection of Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois as flag bearers was confirmed by the Canadian Olympic Committee. (Article 1, Article 3)

  • Athlete Achievements:

  • Valérie Maltais: Three medals at Milano-Cortina (gold in women's team pursuit, bronze in 1500m, bronze in 3000m), total of five career Olympic medals. (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4)

  • Steven Dubois: Gold in men's 500m short track, silver in mixed team relay at Milano-Cortina, total of five career Olympic medals. (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4)

  • Event Details: The closing ceremony is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBC and CBC Gem. (Article 1)

Athletes' Sporting Journeys

Valérie Maltais is competing in her fourth Olympics, showcasing a long and distinguished career. Her versatility is evident in her medal wins across both long track and short track disciplines. At 35, her continued high-level performance signifies enduring dedication to the sport.

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Steven Dubois' Olympic career includes participation in multiple Games, marked by significant medal wins. His gold in the 500m at these Games is a notable achievement. At 28, he represents a strong contingent of Canadian talent in short track speed skating.

Team Canada's Performance Highlighted

The selection of two speed skaters underscores the sport's success for Canada at the Milano-Cortina Games. A substantial portion of Canada's overall medal count, 10 out of 20 medals, was secured in speed skating events. This fact serves as a testament to the depth and quality of Canada's speed skating program.

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Expert Insight

The Canadian Olympic Committee highlighted that both athletes "represent the best of what each member of Team Canada brought to these Games." This statement frames their selection as a representation of the collective effort and success of the entire Canadian team, with a specific emphasis on the excellence demonstrated by Maltais and Dubois in their respective disciplines.

Conclusion and Implications

The naming of Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois as flag bearers for the closing ceremony is a recognition of their exceptional achievements and contributions to Canada's success at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Their multi-medal performances, particularly within the highly successful speed skating team, have earned them this prestigious honor.

This selection serves as a symbol of Canadian sporting excellence and the significant impact of speed skating on the nation's performance at the Games. Their roles in the closing ceremony will mark a fitting conclusion to their participation in this Olympiad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who will carry Canada's flag at the Olympic closing ceremony on Sunday?
Speed skaters Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois will carry the Canadian flag at the closing ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. They were chosen because they won many medals for Canada.
Q: What medals did Valérie Maltais win at these Olympics?
Valérie Maltais won three medals at the Milano-Cortina Games. She got a gold medal in the women's team pursuit and two bronze medals in the 1500m and 3000m races.
Q: What medals did Steven Dubois win at these Olympics?
Steven Dubois won two medals at the Milano-Cortina Games. He earned a gold medal in the men's 500m short track event and a silver medal in the mixed team relay.
Q: Why were Maltais and Dubois chosen to carry the flag?
They were chosen because they are successful athletes who won multiple medals for Canada at these Olympic Games. They show the best of Canadian sports.
Q: How did speed skating do for Canada at these Olympics?
Speed skating was very successful for Canada. The team won 10 out of Canada's 20 total medals at the Milano-Cortina Games, showing how strong the sport is in the country.