Silver for Canada: Courtney Sarault Secures Third Medal at Winter Olympics

MILAN-CORTINA : Canadian short-track speed skater Courtney Sarault has captured her third medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics, securing silver in the 1,000-metre event on Day 10 of competition.

The podium finish keeps Canada in the top five of the overall medal standings as the Games head into their final week, bringing the nation’s total medal count to 10: one gold, four silver, and five bronze.

A Strong Start, A Close Finish

The 25-year-old from Moncton, New Brunswick, held the lead for the first half of the nine-lap race on Monday before slipping to second place in the race’s final laps. Xandra Velzeboer of the Netherlands captured gold in a thrilling finish, while Kim Gilli of South Korea took bronze.

Sarault’s performance marks a significant improvement from her 11th-place finish in the same event at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, showcasing her steady progression on the world stage.

“I felt like I made a tactical error in the final laps,” Sarault said immediately after the race, expressing some initial disappointment with her performance. However, she quickly reflected on the bigger picture: “I’m just going to keep building my medal collection.”

Historic Achievement for Canadian Speed Skating

With three medals at Milano Cortina 2026, Sarault has etched her name into Canadian Olympic history. She becomes only the second Canadian woman to win three medals at a single Winter Olympics.

Her teammate Kim Boutin previously accomplished this feat at PyeongChang 2018, where she earned two bronze medals and one silver. Sarault’s three-medal haul at these Games consists of bronze in the 500 metres, silver in the mixed team relay, and now silver in the 1,000 metres.

The 1,000-metre silver also places Sarault in exclusive company. She is just the third Canadian ever to medal in this event, following Nathalie Lambert, who won silver at Lillehammer 1994, and Boutin, who secured silver at PyeongChang 2018.

More Opportunities Ahead

Sarault’s Olympic journey at Milano Cortina 2026 is far from over. She still has opportunities to add to her medal collection in two upcoming events: the 1,500 metres and the women’s 3,000-metre relay.

The relay event, in particular, could provide another strong medal opportunity for the Canadian squad, which has demonstrated consistent strength in team events throughout these Games.

Canada’s Medal Momentum

Sarault’s silver medal contributes to Canada’s solid performance at these Winter Olympics. With 10 medals secured by Day 10, the Canadian team is maintaining its position among the top-performing nations at the Games.

The medal mix reflects both the depth and diversity of Canada’s winter sports programs, with contributions coming from multiple disciplines throughout the competition.

Short-track speed skating has long been a strength for Canada at the Winter Olympics, and this generation of athletes continues to uphold that tradition. Sarault’s success, along with performances from her teammates, demonstrates the continued investment in and development of winter sports talent across the country.

The Road to Milano Cortina

Sarault’s journey to this point has been marked by steady improvement and determination. Her progression from an 11th-place finish at Beijing 2022 to a three-medal performance at Milano Cortina 2026 speaks to her dedication to the sport and her ability to perform under pressure on the Olympic stage.

The Moncton native has become a key figure in Canada’s short-track speed skating program, contributing not only through her individual performances but also as part of the mixed team relay that earned silver earlier in these Games.

Looking Forward

As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics enter their final week, Canadian fans will be watching closely to see if Sarault can add to her impressive medal haul. With two more events on her schedule, the possibility of matching or exceeding Boutin’s three-medal performance from PyeongChang remains within reach.

Regardless of what happens in her remaining events, Sarault has already cemented her place as one of the standout performers for Canada at these Games. Her three medals represent not just individual achievement, but also the culmination of years of training, sacrifice, and dedication to her sport.

For a country with a proud winter sports tradition, Sarault’s performance serves as a reminder of why Canadians eagerly anticipate every Winter Olympics: and why short-track speed skating remains one of the most exciting events to watch.

The final week of competition promises more thrilling moments as athletes from around the world push themselves to the limit in pursuit of Olympic glory. For Courtney Sarault and Team Canada, the story is still being written.