Ivanie Blondin from Ottawa replicated her 2022 Olympic success in the mass start event by securing a silver medal in women’s speed skating in Milan on Saturday. Initially in third place with one lap to go, the two-time world champion outpaced American Mia Manganello to finish in 8 minutes and 35.09 seconds, just 39-100ths of a second behind gold medalist Marijke Groenewoud of the Netherlands (8:34.70) and 3-10ths of a second ahead of Manganello (8:35.39).
Blondin, aged 35, became the first Canadian woman to win multiple mass start medals at the Games. She garnered 40 points, 20 behind Groenewoud, a three-time world champion in mass start who achieved podium finishes in four out of five World Cup races this season (two gold and two silver).
In an interview with CBC Sports after her final Olympic race, Blondin emphasized the importance of her tenacity and drive in securing medals throughout her career. She expressed pride in her legacy and the inspiration she has provided to others in the sport.
The silver medal in the mass start event marked Blondin’s 19th medal for Canada at the current Games. She also clinched another gold in the women’s team pursuit earlier in the week alongside Isabelle Weidemann and Valérie Maltais.
Blondin reflected on the significance of inspiring the next generation of skaters, highlighting the impact of role models on her own career and expressing her hope to motivate others to strive for success.
In another impressive feat on Friday, Blondin claimed a surprising bronze in the women’s 1,500 meters, adding to her previous bronze in the 3,000 meters. As the third-ranked skater in the world in mass start, Blondin has consistently excelled at the world championships, securing silver in the last three editions and claiming World Cup gold in Calgary this season.
Meanwhile, Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands dominated the men’s mass start event, solidifying his status as the top-ranked skater in the world. Bergsma, aged 40, secured Olympic gold with a commanding performance, making him the oldest long track speed skating gold medalist in Olympic history.
With an impressive victory margin, Bergsma finished first in 7 minutes and 55.50 seconds, five seconds ahead of Viktor Hald Thorup of Denmark, who took silver. Andrea Giovannini of Italy clinched the bronze medal.
The article also highlighted the performance of Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu from Sherbrooke, Que., who finished in sixth place in the men’s mass start event, earning three points with a time of 8:04.76.
Jordan Stolz of the United States narrowly missed the opportunity to achieve a rare feat of winning three gold medals in long track speed skating at a single Olympics, finishing fourth in the men’s event. Stolz, who had previously won gold in the 500 and 1,000 meters along with a silver in the 1,500 meters, fell short of matching the historic achievement of Johann Olav Koss at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.
The article concluded by highlighting the legacy of exceptional long track skaters such as Eric Heiden and Lidiya Skoblikova, who have left an indelible mark on the sport with their impressive medal hauls in past Olympic Games.