Blondin streaks to silver as Canada's women speed skaters continue Olympic dominance
Ivanie Blondin was already going home with a gold medal at these Olympics.
But on Saturday, she collected her first medal at the Milano Cortina Olympics in an individual event.
During the long women’s mass start speed skating finals, Blondin gave it her all during the final two laps, leading her to a silver medal.
It was a repeat of history for Blondin, who also picked up a silver medal in the same event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The Ottawa, Ontario native has authored a story of resilience. She reportedly overcame a battle with depression following the 2018 Olympics, where she didn’t medal despite being a threat in multiple events. Blondin finished just off of the podium in fourth, fifth and sixth at three separate events back in 2018.
That, of course, changed in Beijing, where she went home with a gold and silver medal.
Including these Olympics, the 35-year-old now has four total medals at the Winter Olympics.
“The fiestiness has always been within me,” Blondi said after the silver medal win. “But, that’s also why I’m still here, still fighting for medals, and I’m proud of that.”
Valerie Maltais, who already has three medals at these Olympics alone, was Canada’s other podium threat in this event. She ended up finishing fifth, an impressive placing considering she fell early on.
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The silver medal won by Blondin now gives Canada 19 total medals at these Olympics. Ten of those medals have won in speed skating, with eight of those medals coming courtesy of our women’s speed skaters (including the silver medal win in the mixed team relay).
Courtney Sarault has won two individual medals, collecting four total. Maltais is right behind her with two wins in individual competitions and three medals total.
Blondin became the third Canadian woman to win an individual medal in speed skating on Saturday. She confirmed that this would be her final Olympic Games.