Maltais, Dubois to carry Canada’s flag at Olympic closing ceremonies

Canada's Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois seen in this composite photo with their medals, won during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Feb. 2026.

MILAN — Speedskater Valérie Maltais and short track speedskater Steven Dubois will carry the Maple Leaf into Sunday’s closing ceremonies of the 2026 Olympic Games.

The Quebec athletes were both named Canada’s flag-bearers Saturday for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics finale in Verona, Italy,

Dubois captured a gold medal in the men’s 500 metres and was also part of the mixed relay team that earned silver.

“I really wanted to enjoy the experience and I wanted to medal and I think I really did both,” said the 28-year-old who sports a handlebar moustache.

"I really did both and to get this opportunity for me to represent the country and bearing the flag is a dream opportunity. I really did not expect this at all."

Maltais helped Canada repeat as Olympic champions in women’s team pursuit with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann.

Maltais also earned bronze medals in the 3,000 and 1,500 metres.

“The first thing that came to my mind was what a way to wrap my Olympic journey,” Maltais said.

“I’m having fun and I’m skating with passion and I am so excited to share that with Canada.”

The 35-year-old from La Baie, Que., competed in her fifth and final Olympic Games. She owns a career five medals, including a short track relay medal from 2014 before switching to long track.

Dubois of Terrebone, Que., has also collected five Olympic medals in his career, including gold, silver and bronze in 2022 when he helped the men’s relay team to victory.

Maltais had a discussion with her husband Jordan Belchos, a speedskater who raced in the 2018 Winter Games, about what it means to be an Olympian because she was asked to give address to the rookies heading to Milan.

“There’s two visions to be Olympian,” she said. “There’s this person of the whole journey of what you’re doing to be there in the moment and to perform, and there’s those ones who dare to dream for greatness.

“There’s two different, noble ways to be an Olympian. At these Games, I think I proved that I’m both.”

Maltais does intend to compete one more season before she retires from speedskating. She wants to stay in sport, perhaps as a coach, and also wants to finish her university degree.

Dubois handed the Maple Leaf puts him in an overdue spotlight.

His teammate Charles Hamelin was the short track star heading into Beijing.

Buzz surrounded another teammate William Dandjinou before and during the Milan Cortina Games.

“It’s nice finally getting that recognition,” said Dubois. “I came close, I think in Beijing, to getting the flag-bearer and I was really disappointed of not getting the opportunity, but to get it here, even though it’s been full of ups and downs, I feel it makes it so special and true.

“I couldn’t enjoy this more than I am right now.”

Maltais says her parents visited Verona last week and sent her photos.

“It looks fabulous and I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2026.