In a thrilling display of speed and strategy, Canada’s Ivanie Blondin has once again etched her name into Olympic history, securing her second consecutive silver medal in the speed skating mass start event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: at 35, Blondin isn’t just repeating her 2022 Beijing success—she’s solidifying her legacy as the first Canadian woman to win multiple mass start medals at the Olympics. And this is the part most people miss: her final Olympic race wasn’t just about the medal; it was a testament to her enduring feistiness and determination, qualities she proudly calls her legacy.
On Saturday in Milan, Blondin, an Ottawa native, delivered a performance that captivated the crowd. With just one lap remaining, she surged from third place, outsprinting American Mia Manganello to cross the finish line in 8 minutes and 35.09 seconds. She narrowly missed gold by 39-100ths of a second, with the Netherlands’ Marijke Groenewoud claiming the top spot. Groenewoud, a three-time world champion, completed a Dutch double gold alongside men’s champion Jorrit Bergsma, whose dominant performance at age 40 made him the oldest speed skating gold medallist in Winter Games history.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the mass start event more about luck than skill? The race’s chaotic nature—16 laps with jostling skaters and intermediate sprints every four laps—often leads to unpredictable outcomes. Some argue it’s a gamble, while others, like Blondin, see it as a test of adaptability and grit. What do you think? Does the mass start format truly reward the best skater, or is it too reliant on chance?
Blondin’s silver adds to Canada’s impressive medal tally, marking the country’s ninth bronze and 19th medal overall at these Games. Earlier in the week, she also defended her title in the women’s team pursuit alongside Isabelle Weidemann and Valérie Maltais. Maltais, despite a valiant effort after an early fall, finished fifth in the mass start, showcasing the resilience that defines these athletes.
And this is the part that tugs at the heartstrings: For Blondin, her Olympic journey has always been about inspiring others. ‘It means the world,’ she told CBC Sports. ‘If my performance inspires someone to fight for the top, then let’s go.’ Her words echo the sentiment of a true champion—one who measures success not just in medals, but in the impact she leaves on the sport.
Meanwhile, in the men’s event, Bergsma’s gold was a masterclass in experience and precision. He and Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup broke away from the pack midway through the race, with Bergsma finishing in 7 minutes and 55.50 seconds, five seconds ahead of Thorup. Italy’s Andrea Giovannini took bronze, while Canada’s Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu placed sixth.
But here’s another point of contention: Jordan Stolz, the 21-year-old American sensation, missed his chance to become the first man since 1994 to win three long track golds in a single Olympics. After dominating the 500 and 1,000 meters, Stolz finished fourth in the mass start. Was the pressure too much, or did the event’s unpredictability cost him? Let’s debate this in the comments.
As the curtain falls on Blondin’s Olympic career, her achievements serve as a reminder that greatness isn’t just about winning—it’s about inspiring, enduring, and leaving a mark that transcends the podium. So, we ask you: Who’s the next skater to carry this torch? And will the mass start event ever shed its reputation as the ‘wild card’ of speed skating?
