Ivanie Blondin from Ottawa duplicated her performance from the 2022 Olympics by securing a silver medal in the women’s speed skating mass start event in Milan on Saturday. Initially in third place with one lap to go, the two-time world champion outpaced American Mia Manganello and crossed the finish line in eight minutes and 35.09 seconds. This placed her just 39-100ths behind gold medalist Marijke Groenewoud from the Netherlands and 3-10ths ahead of Manganello.
Blondin, aged 35, became the first Canadian woman to achieve multiple mass start medals at the Games. She garnered 40 points, trailing Groenewoud by 20 points. Groenewoud, a three-time world champion in mass start, had a strong season with podium finishes in four out of five World Cup races.
Reflecting on her career after the final Olympic race, Blondin expressed pride in her tenacity and the legacy she leaves behind. This silver medal brought Canada’s medal count at the Games to 19. In addition to her recent success, Blondin also clinched the gold in the women’s team pursuit earlier in the week.
Blondin’s inspiring performance has left a significant impact on others in the sport, with the seasoned athlete emphasizing the importance of inspiring the next generation of skaters. Similarly, Valérie Maltais from La Baie, Que., displayed determination by finishing fifth in the race despite a fall early in the competition.
In a separate event, Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands showcased his dominance by claiming the gold in the men’s mass start. Bergsma, the world No. 1, also secured a bronze in the men’s 1,000 meters, becoming the oldest gold medalist in long track speed skating at the Winter Games.
The article also highlighted the impressive performance of other athletes, such as Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu and Jordan Stolz, who showcased their skills and determination in their respective events. Stolz, in particular, came close to achieving a historic feat with multiple gold medals in long track speed skating.
