Quebec Speedskater Valérie Maltais Hits Peak Form Ahead of Fifth Winter Olympics in Italy
Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Quebec, is preparing to compete in her fifth Winter Olympics with renewed vigor and confidence, following a successful transition from short-track to long-track speedskating. At 35 years old, the veteran athlete appears to be reaching her peak performance at an ideal moment, just as the Milano Cortina 2026 Games approach.
From Career Crossroads to Olympic Comeback
Eight years ago, Maltais faced a potential end to her speedskating career after finishing without medals at the Pyeongchang Olympics and losing her sponsors. However, her unwavering self-belief propelled her forward. "I thought, 'Well nobody believes in me, but I believe in me,'" she told Radio-Canada. "Even today, I think I'm capable of being on the podium in 2026."
That pivotal moment led to her switch from short-track to long-track speedskating, a decision that revitalized her career and reignited her winning streak.
Recent Successes and Olympic Momentum
Maltais has demonstrated exceptional form in recent competitions, signaling her readiness for the upcoming Olympics. In November, she achieved the fastest 3,000 metres of her career, securing a silver medal at the World Cup season opener in Salt Lake City, Utah. More recently, she earned a bronze in the 3,000-metre race and a silver in the women's mass-start event at a World Cup in Germany, despite not expecting to medal.
"Obviously, I wanted a podium, but today was more about how I felt while racing," Maltais explained to the Canadian Press. "I'm kind of surprised with my weekend. I just finished a hard training block and didn't know exactly how I would feel. I have some good legs and seem to be recovering well, so I'm very happy. Hopefully, I will keep feeling better. We'll see in two weeks."
Long-Track Speedskating: A Canadian Legacy
Long-track speedskating holds a distinguished place in Canadian Olympic history, having yielded 42 medals—more than any other sport for the country. This discipline, where athletes can reach speeds of 60 kilometres per hour, is the fastest human-powered sport in the Olympic Games. Notable Canadian champions include:
- Cindy Klassen, who won five medals at the 2006 Turin Olympics, the most by any Canadian athlete at a single Games.
- Clara Hughes, who medaled in speedskating at three Olympics and also in cycling at the 1996 Summer Games.
- Gaétan Boucher, with two golds and a bronze at Sarajevo 1984 and a silver at Lake Placid 1980.
- Catriona Le May Doan, who took gold in the 500 metres at both Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002.
Maltais's Journey and Adaptability
Maltais began speedskating at age six and quickly ascended through the ranks, representing Canada in the World Junior Championships by 16. Her Olympic debut came at 20 during the 2010 Vancouver Games, where she competed in one event. By Sochi 2014, she raced in all four short-track events and won a silver medal as part of the 3,000-metre relay team.
After Pyeongchang 2018, she shifted her focus to long-track speedskating, a more solitary pursuit compared to the chaotic nature of short track. "If I didn't switch sports, I don't think I would be here today," she told Team Canada.ca. "After 2018, I was going to retire from short track feeling accomplished in that sport. Now, I think my goal is to feel accomplished again in long track."
Her adaptability paid off at the Beijing 2022 Games, where she won gold in team pursuit with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann, setting an Olympic record time. This trio will reunite in Milano Cortina, aiming for another podium finish.
Quebec's Strong Presence on Canada's Long-Track Team
Of the 15 athletes on Canada's long-track team, seven hail from Quebec, highlighting the province's significant contribution to the sport. Among them is Laurent Dubreuil of Lévis, who secured a silver in the 1,000-metre event in Beijing and narrowly missed a bronze in the 500 metres by just 0.03 seconds.
Beyond speedskating, Maltais has also excelled in inline skating, winning the overall women's senior Canadian title in 2014. In 2024, she married fellow Canadian Olympic speedskater Jordan Belchos, adding a personal milestone to her athletic achievements.
Looking Ahead to Milano Cortina
The women's 3,000-metre event, a key focus for Maltais, is scheduled for February 7 at the Milano Ice Park. Olympic speedskating events will run from February 7 to 21, providing multiple opportunities for Maltais and her teammates to showcase their skills on the world stage.
As she enters her fifth Olympics, Valérie Maltais embodies resilience and determination, proving that a strategic career change and persistent self-belief can lead to peak performance even in the later stages of an athletic career. Her journey from La Baie to the global Olympic arena continues to inspire fans and aspiring athletes across Quebec and Canada.
