Olympic news Canadian women win gold in team pursuit

They took advantage of a fall by the Japanese Nana Takagi, in the last lap, to be crowned Olympic champions.

The Canadian trio tried throughout the race to make up for their delay. From a second to the first intermediate, it steadily narrowed to the finish line.

Weidemann, Blondin and Maltais stopped the clock at 2 min 53 s 44/100, synonymous with an Olympic record.

This is Canada's second gold medal in Beijing, following Maxence Parrot's snowboard slopestyle event.

For Isabelle Weidemann, this triumph crowns an already productive Games with a third medal to her name in three events. She also won silver in the 5000m and bronze in the 3000m.

I have no words! It's surreal right now. We knew we had a strong team, that we could fight today, but it's incredible for us, she said.

Fellow Ottawan Ivanie Blondin won her first medal after tough performances in the 1,500 and 3,000 m. She skipped the 5,000m to focus on the team pursuit.

I'm really proud of our team, she said. I am lucky to be at their side, that they support me and that I can support them too.

For her part, Valérie Maltais added a second Olympic medal to her record, after silver in the relay in short track speed skating at the Sochi Games in 2014.

The 31-year-old Quebecer thus became the third athlete in history to win Olympic medals in the short and long track, after American Eric Flaim and Dutchman Jorien ter Mors.

“When we crossed the line, I didn't know the Japanese had fallen. I had absolutely no idea what was happening on the board. It was a nice surprise! »

Japanese Nana Takagi crashed on the last corner of the final won by Canada.

Photo: Associated Press/Ashley Landis

The Canadians confirmed their medal claim in the semi-finals by winning their duel against the Dutch, who took bronze. They never let their opponents outrun them, before taking control on the seventh lap.

Weidemann took the last stint and picked up the pace. Canada made it to the finish in 2:54.96, nearly a second ahead of Antoinette de Jong, Irene Schouten and Ireen Wust, all of whom have won individual medals in recent days.

Canadians finish 5th

Following a disappointing performance in qualifying, Canadians Ted-Jan Bloemen, Jordan Belchos and Tyson Langelaar recorded 5th place overall.

They largely dominated the C final with almost a half-lap lead over the South Korean team.

The Canadians followed the same strategy as in the quarter-finals, letting Bloemen lead the group from start to finish.

Canadians finish 5th in team pursuit

Photo: afp via getty images / WANG ZHAO

The event was won by Norway, who beat the ROC in the final. The United States received the bronze medal.

In the semi-finals, the ROC representatives scored a new Olympic mark of 3:36.62 after their duel against the Americans. The latter also recorded a faster time than the old record.

Skater Daniil Aldoshkin after the ROC victory in the semi-finals of the team pursuit

Photo: Associated Press/Ashley Landis

After crossing the finish line, Daniil Aldoshkin gave the middle fingers to the stands.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedbeing in contact with the ROC, in addition to having received an official letter of apology. The body also mentioned having seen the athlete's apology on social networks and will not comment further on the subject.