Quebec Olympians Return Home from Milano Cortina Games with Medals and Memories
With the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games concluded, Team Canada's athletes have begun their journey back home, with several Quebec competitors arriving at Montreal's Trudeau airport on Monday evening to a warm reception from family, friends, and enthusiastic fans.
Medal-Winning Athletes Receive Heartfelt Welcome
Speedskater Valérie Maltais was the first athlete to step through the arrivals gate, proudly wearing three medals around her neck. Maltais, who served as one of Canada's flag-bearers at the closing ceremony alongside fellow speedskater Steven Dubois, won bronze in the women's 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter speedskating events, and gold in a team event with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann.
The 35-year-old athlete from Saguenay described the closing ceremony as "emotional," giving her a moment to reflect on her journey. Maltais has confirmed that Milano Cortina will be her final Olympic appearance. "I was myself during these Olympics. Just fully enjoying it, expressing how I was feeling. It was fun," she said, adding that she hoped viewers at home also enjoyed the Games.
Maltais expressed her excitement about spending time with her husband and cats, allowing the experience to sink in, though she will return to Europe next week for the International Skating Union Speed Skating World Championships.
Kingsbury Celebrates Dual Moguls Victory
Freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury emerged from the arrivals gate wearing both a silver medal from moguls and a gold from the debut dual moguls competition, where he secured Team Canada's first gold medal of the 2026 Games. These medals mark the fourth and fifth Olympic achievements of his career.
The 33-year-old from Deux-Montagnes described his gold medal moment as unforgettable, particularly with his family present and his son at the bottom of the course. "To have my family there, my son at the bottom of the course, I couldn't have scripted it better if I wrote it out," Kingsbury said. He has also announced that these Games will be his last, with plans to rest until the national championships in St-Sauveur at the end of March.
Kingsbury's immediate plans upon returning home include a barbecue, despite the lingering snow. "I'm excited to cook my own food, play with my son, throw the ball around," he shared. "Just excited to be a dad."
Team Canada's Overall Medal Count and Other Athletes
Canada concluded the Milano Cortina Games with an impressive total of 21 medals, comprising nine bronze, seven silver, and five gold. Many of these medals were earned by Quebec athletes, including:
- Speedskater Steven Dubois
- Snowboarder Éliot Grondin
- Freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury
- Speedskater Valérie Maltais
Short-track speedskater William Dandjinou of Sherbrooke returned home without a medal, despite being ranked No. 1 in the men's 1,500-meter event by the International Skating Union. Dandjinou expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate, stating he plans to "take a step back" to analyze his strategy and vows to become an Olympic champion in the future. "I was lucky to be able to participate," he remarked.
Women's Hockey Team Arrives with Silver
The women's hockey team was scheduled to arrive in Montreal late Monday night, bringing home a silver medal. Several Quebec stars on the team, including captain Marie-Philip Poulin and goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens, play for the Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women's Hockey League. Fans waiting at Trudeau airport brought PWHL hockey cards in hopes of obtaining autographs from their favorite players.
The atmosphere at the airport was filled with joy and pride as athletes reunited with loved ones and shared their Olympic experiences, marking the end of a memorable chapter in their sporting careers.
