Speed skater Isabelle Weidemann 'honoured' to continue legacy of Canadian Olympic legends

Canadian speed skater Isabelle Weidemann has come full circle.

One of the world's top long trackers, Weidemann now finds herself in the same position as her heroes before her — passing the torch to the next generation.

The 29-year-old from Ottawa became a household name after winning three Olympic medals at the Beijing Games in 2022, including Canada's first-ever gold in the women's team pursuit alongside Ivanie Blondin and Valérie Maltais.

"There are young girls that come up to us all the time, young speed skaters or other athletes, and they're like, 'We watched your race at the Olympics!' And [we] just get to be those people a little bit now that get to pass the torch," Weidemann said in a Thursday interview with CBC Sports' Anastasia Bucsis.

"We've been doing this sport for a really long time. We are veterans of this national team now, and to think that one day we do get to pass on that legacy and to keep it going is so amazing and I feel so honoured to be able to do that."

WATCH l Weidemann looks forward to her 3rd Olympic Games:

Isabelle Weidemann looks forward to her 3rd Olympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026

Weidemann was Canada's flag-bearer for the Beijing closing ceremony, just like one of her idols, Cindy Klassen, at the 2006 Turin Olympics. Canadian women won seven medals at those Games, including five by Klassen, while Weidemann watched from home, mesmerized and inspired.

"I remember being 11 years old and watching the 2006 Olympics and being so in awe by watching Cindy Klassen or watching Clara [Hughes], watching that team of speed skaters," Weidemann said. 

"I was just newly involved in speed skating; I didn't even really have an idea of what the sport actually entailed. But just watching the Olympics