Led by Quebecers, Canada wins Olympic silver in short-track speed skating mixed team relay
Posted February 10, 2026 7:16 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2026 4:27 pm.
Canada has its first silver medal at Milano Cortina 2026 — with a trio of Quebecers leading the way in the final.
The Canadian short-track speed skating mixed team earned the second spot on the podium in the first medal event for the sport on Tuesday.
Quebecers William Dandjinou, Felix Roussel, and Kim Boutin, as well as Courtney Sarault, who lives in Montreal, skated in the four-team final for Canada in front of a crowd including most members of the Canadian men’s hockey team.
Italy won gold, while Belgium was third.
Back home, supporters said the team’s chemistry was clear.
“Their team is so together,” said Paul Leal, a Laval parent whose children once trained alongside Dandjinou. “They understand everybody, how they’re feeling, how they’re working. They work so well together. You can see it on the ice.”
Fans said the strong Quebec presence made the result even more meaningful.
“We’re very, very proud of our Quebecers,” said one supporter. “With skaters like Dandjinou and Boutin, we were eager for the medal count to start growing.”
New Brunswick’s Sarault did an outstanding job avoiding a crash involving American Corinne Stoddard and Korean Kim Gilli in the semifinal to ensure the Canadians advanced to the four-time final.
“It’s super motivating for our kids to see people from our province, our city, make it to the Olympics and win,” said Lenia, a local speed skating coach. “You train all your life. When I was younger, we trained about six times a week.”
Speed skating supporters say the sport is deeply rooted in Quebec.
“We’re born with skates on our feet,” another fan said.
It is Canada’s third medal overall at the Games, following bronze medals by speed skater Valerie Maltais and freestyle skier Megan Oldham.
Steven Dubois and Florence Brunelle — both from Quebec — also received silver medals after skating for Canada in earlier heats.
Canada finished fourth in the relay in the last Olympics in 2022, making Tuesday’s podium finish a turnaround for the team.
In Laval, Leal and other parents are organizing a watch party Saturday afternoon at Cage Au Sport Carrefour Laval to cheer on Dandjinou, with about 60 people expected to attend.
“His level was just so much higher,” Leal said of Dandjinou’s early talent. “You saw that his focus was incredible. These people worked so hard to compete and to be there. It’s their dream. But you know what? It could be your kids’ dreams too.”
-With files from Lola Kalder
