Valérie Maltais is showcasing an enhanced performance as she gears up for her fifth Olympic appearance. The 35-year-old speed skater from La Baie, Quebec, kicked off the World Cup season with her fastest 3,000 meters ever, securing a silver medal in Salt Lake City. Following another silver in the women’s mass start and contributing to Canada’s silver in the team pursuit, Maltais is looking to maintain her momentum at the upcoming 3k race in Calgary.
Excited about the race in Calgary, Maltais is focused on executing her plan flawlessly and aligning her body and tactics for optimal performance. As the second stop in the five-part World Cup series, Calgary will see 27 Canadians competing for medals and qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
During the 2024-25 season, Canadian athletes claimed a total of 16 medals across six World Cup events, including two gold, eight silver, and six bronze. Maltais stands out as the only Canadian speedskater to have won Olympic medals in both short track and long track events. Having transitioned to long track in 2019, Maltais, along with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann, clinched team pursuit gold in Beijing in 2022.
With a wealth of experience, Maltais is one of the few Canadian athletes who participated in the 2010 Olympic Games and are still actively competing in 2026. Maltais attributes her current peak performance to advancements in training technology and the enhanced support systems available to athletes today.
Having married Olympic speedskater Jordan Belchos in 2024, Maltais credits access to a sport physiologist at Quebec’s Intact Insurance Centre de Glaces for her improved training and injury prevention. Together with Blondin and Weidemann, Maltais is set to compete in various events, aiming to secure top positions and fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming Olympics.
Weidemann, Maltais’ teammate, highlighted the importance of their renewed strategy and the confidence it has instilled in the team. While seeking individual success on home ice in Calgary, Blondin emphasized the team’s focus on preparing for the peak performance required at the Olympic Games.
As they race through the World Cup events, the Canadian speed skaters are strategically training for the ultimate goal of excelling at the Olympic Games. The emphasis is on peaking at the right moment to deliver their best performances when it matters most.