Valérie Maltais delivers first podium moment with bronze in Milano Cortina

The first surge of emotion for the national delegation at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina arrived on the ice, carried by the steady stride and composure of a veteran who has spent years building toward moments like this. Valérie Maltais, at 35 years old, captured bronze in the women’s 3,000-metre final, securing the first medal for her country at these Olympics and setting the tone for what athletes and fans hope will be a memorable fortnight.

The race unfolded with the intensity and precision that defines Olympic long-track speed skating. From the opening laps, the pace was demanding, with competitors pushing each other into early splits that hinted at a fast finish. Maltais remained composed through the early stages, conserving energy while staying within striking distance. Her strategy became clear in the final stretch as she leaned into her experience, maintaining rhythm and control while others began to fade.

Crossing the line in third place, she looked almost stunned for a moment, glancing up at the board before the reality settled in. It was not just a podium finish. It was the first breakthrough result for the team at these Games, the kind of moment that can lift an entire group of athletes preparing for their own events. Teammates watching from the stands and back home now have a tangible result to rally around, a reminder that the long wait for competition has already produced something meaningful.

For Maltais, the bronze is the continuation of a long and accomplished career that has seen her compete across multiple Olympic cycles. Known for her endurance and steady approach to distance racing, she has built her reputation on consistency and resilience rather than flashy dominance. That patience showed in the 3,000 metres, a race that demands both physical stamina and mental discipline. Timing, pacing, and control matter just as much as speed, and her execution reflected years of experience.

The significance of the medal stretches beyond the numbers on the scoreboard. The first podium result at any Olympic Games carries symbolic weight. It breaks the tension that builds in the early days when athletes are still finding their footing and searching for momentum. With Maltais stepping onto the podium, that pressure shifts. There is now proof that preparation has translated into success, and that belief can spread quickly through a team.

The Milano Cortina Games are expected to feature strong performances in several winter sports, and speed skating has long been a cornerstone. The sport demands relentless training and technical precision, and the margin between first and third can come down to fractions of a second. In a field stacked with world-class competitors, simply reaching the podium represents a major achievement. Doing it in the opening days adds another layer of importance.

The women’s 3,000 metres itself is one of the most grueling events on the long-track schedule. Skaters must manage their energy across multiple laps while keeping their form tight and efficient. A small mistake in the early stages can cost valuable seconds later on. Maltais stayed disciplined, building her race carefully rather than chasing an unsustainable early pace. By the final laps, that approach paid off, allowing her to hold her position when the race tightened.

As the first medalist of these Games, her performance now becomes a reference point. Younger athletes watching her push through the final stretch will take confidence from it. Veterans will see it as confirmation that the work they put in over the past four years is already bearing fruit. Moments like this have a ripple effect, reaching beyond the rink and into training rooms, living rooms, and communities that follow every result.

There is also something fitting about a seasoned competitor delivering the first breakthrough. Olympic teams often rely on a blend of rising talent and established leadership. Maltais represents that leadership, someone who understands the rhythm of the Games and the weight of the moment. Her calm presence in the race and on the podium reflects an athlete who has learned to thrive under pressure.

With many events still ahead, the bronze medal sets an early benchmark and offers a sense of direction. The Games are long, and momentum can shift quickly, but the opening success creates a strong foundation. Fans will remember the first podium finish, the moment the medal count began, and the athlete who made it happen.

For Maltais, the medal is both a personal achievement and a shared one. It marks years of commitment, countless hours on the ice, and the ability to perform when it matters most. As she stepped off the track and into the spotlight of the early Olympic days, she carried not only the satisfaction of her own race but the pride of starting something larger. The Games have officially begun, and the first chapter now belongs to a speed skater who turned experience into bronze on one of the world’s biggest stages.