As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics come to a close, Canada has selected two of its premier speedskaters, Valerie Maltais and Steven Dubois, to proudly carry the national flag during the closing ceremony. This announcement was made public by the Canadian Olympic Committee on Saturday.

Valerie Maltais, 35 years old, had an impressive performance at the Games in Italy, securing three medals. She achieved a gold medal in the women's team pursuit speedskating event, along with two bronze medals in women's 3,000m and women's 1,500m speedskating. Maltais's success at these Olympic Games contributes to her remarkable career, now totaling five Olympic medals.

In addition to Maltais, Steven Dubois, aged 28, also brought home a notable medal haul. He won gold in the men's 500m short track event and a silver in the short track mixed team relay. Like Maltais, Dubois has also accumulated a total of five Olympic medals throughout his career, with Milano Cortina 2026 being his second Olympic participation.

Maltais is no stranger to the Olympic stage, having competed in her third Olympic Games. In her previous appearances, she secured a gold medal for team pursuit in 2022 and won a short-track silver in 2014. On the other hand, Dubois made a remarkable debut at the 2022 Games, where he earned gold in the men's 5,000m short track relay, a silver in the 1,500m, and a bronze in the mixed team relay.

Notably, of the 20 medals won by Canada at the Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, 10 of these were achieved in speedskating events, underscoring the country's strength and expertise in this discipline. The achievements of both Maltais and Dubois highlight their dedication and the significant contributions of Canadian speedskaters to the nation's success at the Olympics.

With their selection as flag bearers, Maltais and Dubois not only honor their personal accomplishments but also represent the spirit of Canadian athletes on an international stage, showcasing their passion and resilience in the world of winter sports.