Speed skaters Maltais, Dubois named Canada’s flag-bearers for closing ceremony

Speed skaters Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois were named flag-bearers for the closing ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced Saturday. 

The ceremony will take place Sunday, with the pre-show beginning on CBC and CBC Gem at 2 m. ET, following by the closing ceremony at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Both athletes are leaving these Olympic Games as multi-medal winners.

Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois named as Canadian flag-bearers for the closing ceremony

Competing in her fourth Olympics, Maltais won three medals in Italy. The 35-year-old long track skater from La Baie, Que., captured gold in the women’s team pursuit, along with Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin.

It was a repeat gold medal for the trio, which won the title at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 

Individually, Maltais also earned bronze medals in the 3,000- and 1,500-metre events. 

Overall, she’s captured five medals in her career.

Dubois has won five short track medals over two Olympics Games, including a gold medal as part of his men’s 5,000m relay team at the Beijing Games.

But it’s his performance in Italy, specifically the 500m event that may prove to be his finest hour.

After, earning silver in the mixed team relay, Dubois headed into the 500 as an underdog for the gold medal. One of the favourites was his teammate, William Dandjinou.

But the 28-year-old had risky game plan, and it paid off in the end.

Normally, the diminutive Dubois likes to skate from the back, drafting larger skaters and overtaking late. But in 500m race, he took the lead immediately and never looked back.