Historic First: Two Quebec Athletes Named Canada's Flag-Bearers for Winter Olympics Closing
In a groundbreaking moment for Canadian Olympic history, speedskater Valérie Maltais and short track speedskater Steven Dubois have been selected as Canada's flag-bearers for the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. This marks the first time in winter Olympic history that both flag-bearers representing Canada will hail from Quebec, creating a significant milestone for the province's athletic community.
A Historic Selection for the Milano Cortina Games
The announcement came just days before the Sunday closing ceremony at the historic Verona Arena, where Maltais and Dubois will proudly carry the maple leaf into the Roman amphitheater dating back to 30 A.D. While Canada has occasionally selected dual flag-bearers in recent winter games, the 2026 Milano Cortina games represent the first instance where both chosen athletes originate from Quebec, breaking new ground in the nation's Olympic traditions.
Valérie Maltais, a 35-year-old native of Saguenay, has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her career. After facing potential retirement eight years ago following disappointing results at the Pyeongchang Olympics and losing her sponsors, Maltais made a pivotal switch from short-track to long-track speedskating. Her determination paid off spectacularly at the 2026 games, where she captured a gold medal in women's team pursuit speedskating along with two bronze medals in the women's 3,000-meter and 1,500-meter events.
"I thought, 'Well nobody believes in me, but I believe in me,'" Maltais told Radio-Canada, reflecting on her journey. "Even today, I think I'm capable of being on the podium in 2026." Her perseverance and subsequent success make her selection as flag-bearer particularly meaningful.
Steven Dubois: A Five-Time Olympic Medalist
Steven Dubois, a 28-year-old from Laval, brings his own impressive Olympic credentials to this honor. At the 2026 games, Dubois secured a gold medal in the men's 500 meters and contributed to the mixed relay team that earned silver. This builds upon his previous Olympic achievements from Beijing, where he won bronze in the 500 meters, gold in the men's 5,000-meter relay, and bronze in the 1,500 meters, making him a five-time Olympic medalist overall.
"I didn't think I was going to get the honour right now, it's a surprise," Dubois expressed after receiving the flag-bearer news from Jennifer Heil, Team Canada's Chef de Mission. "Thank you so much for the opportunity. I'm so happy."
Symbolic Significance and Ceremonial Details
The selection of two Quebec athletes carries symbolic weight beyond their individual accomplishments. It represents recognition of Quebec's substantial contributions to Canadian winter sports and comes at a time when the province has demonstrated exceptional athletic performance on the international stage.
On Sunday, all remaining Canadian athletes in Italy will be transported to the Arena di Verona for the closing ceremonies. The historic venue, with its ancient Roman origins, will provide a dramatic backdrop for this momentous occasion as Maltais and Dubois lead Team Canada into the arena.
This dual selection follows a growing trend of Canada appointing pairs of flag-bearers, though never before with both representatives coming from Quebec. The decision highlights not only the athletes' competitive achievements but also their personal journeys of perseverance and dedication that embody the Olympic spirit.
