It is rare indeed for Olympic athletes to win a gold medal. It is rarer still for Olympic athletes to repeat their gold medal winning performance four years later.
Orléans Olympians Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin accomplished just that at the recent Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, where they and teammate Valerie Maltais won the women’s team pursuit event, successfully defending the gold medal they won in Beijing in 2022.
The trio went into the final against the co-favourites from the Netherlands after easily defeating the United States by over four seconds in the semi-finals.
The Netherlands had a tougher time of it in their semi-final, besting the team from Japan by just a tenth of a second.
In the gold medal showdown, Canada trailed the Netherlands for the first seven laps of the 12 lap race. They made their move on the eighth lap and never looked back, crossing the finish line by nearly a second ahead of the Dutch.
This will likely be the final Olympics for the 35-year-old Blondin, who also won a silver medal in the mass start, giving four Olympic medals in total.
At age 30, Weidemann could conceivably compete in the 2030 Olympics, which will take place in the French Alps, but that was the furthest thing from her mind as she celebrated her gold medal with her teammates.
“I’m so proud of all the work that the three of us have done over the last four years,” said Weidemann. “We’re a very different team, I think, than in Beijing. We’ve overcome a lot. I’m just so proud.”
“It means the world,” Blondin said about winning a second straight gold medal in the event. “I wouldn’t want to be standing here with anyone else. I think that the trust that we have with this team is what made that happen.”
After their win, the gold medal trio got to video chat with Prime Minister Mark Carney during which he congratulated them on their accomplishment.
“To win is obviously incredible. To repeat. You get nervous when the race is coming up and uh, you nailed it. Felicitations,” said an elated Prime Minister.
Weidemann and Blondin are both pro-ducts of the Gloucester Speed Skating Club which is based out of the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Centre.
Blondin began skating as a youth almost 25 years ago. Despite experiencing early success competing in short track she missed out on making the 2010 Olympic team. As a result of that and internal politics, she switched to long track in 2011 and has never looked back.
Weidemann also took up speed skating at an early age and was always a long track specialist.
Both Blondin and Weidemann have now won four Olympic medals, equaling the total won by fellow Ottawa speed skater Kristina Groves in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics. The only difference is that Groves never won gold.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Monday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit 
SING-ALONG MUSIC NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. 9 p.m. at the Orléans Brewing Company, 4380 Innes Rd. next to the McDonalds. Sing along to hits from the '70s to today and enjoy themed nights like “80's One-Hit Wonders” or "Hairspray Rock Bands". It's all about fun, music, and community. Free to play.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
Y2K DANCE from 7 p.m. at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Throw back vibes. Iconic hits. God with a variety of local vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS’ MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with a variety of local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION
