Laurent Dubreuil has clinched an Olympic bronze medal in speed skating’s 500 meters, securing redemption after narrowly missing out on a podium finish four years ago by a mere 3-100ths of a second.
The 33-year-old, the eldest competitor among 29 participants, clocked in at 34.26 seconds at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, marking Canada’s fifth bronze medal in Milan Cortina and eighth overall.
Prior to this achievement, Kevin Overlund was the last Canadian to claim bronze in the men’s event at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, while Jeremy Wotherspoon from Saskatchewan took silver in that race.
During the Beijing event on Feb. 12, 2022, Dubreuil recorded a time of 34.522 but fell short of the podium after earning silver in the men’s 1,000 meters.
Expressing his elation, Dubreuil described the victory as “incredible,” emphasizing his perseverance over the years despite facing challenges. He acknowledged the tough competition and the significance of finally clinching a medal in the 500-meter event.
The previous Olympic record was broken by China’s Gao Tingyu in 2022 with a time of 34.32 seconds, nearly a second slower than the winning time set by Jordan Stolz on Saturday. Stolz, the 21-year-old American, established a new Games record of 33.37 after momentarily holding the record following Dubreuil’s run.
Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, the reigning world champion, claimed silver with a time of 33.88, having outpaced Stolz in previous World Cup competitions.
Despite facing a strong challenge from Damian Zurek of Poland, who finished in fourth place with a time of 34.35, Dubreuil managed to secure his spot on the podium.
In a heartfelt moment, Dubreuil expressed his emotions, acknowledging the exceptional talent of his fellow competitors and the joy of achieving success after a long journey of dedication and hard work.
Anastasia Bucsis, a two-time Canadian Olympic speed skater and CBC Sports analyst, commended Dubreuil’s performance, highlighting his exceptional technique and determination on the ice.
Dubreuil’s children, Rose and Nathan, witnessed their father’s remarkable achievement, providing him with added motivation to set a positive example through hard work and perseverance.
In the men’s team pursuit, Canada’s Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin, and Valérie Maltais set the fastest quarterfinal time, showcasing their potential to defend their title in the upcoming races.
Jordan Stolz made history by becoming only the second man to achieve the 500-1,000 double at a single Olympics, following in the footsteps of Eric Heiden’s legendary performance at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
Stolz’s exceptional form and determination have positioned him as a standout competitor, living up to high expectations and aiming for further success in the remaining events.
The Canadian trio of Weidemann, Maltais, and Blondin have demonstrated strong form leading up to the Games, showcasing their prowess and potential in team pursuit events.
Canada’s speed skating team continues to excel, with athletes like Dubreuil and the women’s team pursuit squad setting a strong foundation for further success in the ongoing Winter Olympics.