Veterans like Weidmann will lead Canada’s long-track speedskating team to Milano Cortina

Canada's long-track speedskating team for the Winter Olympics was named on Thursday. Canada heads to Italy with a mix of veterans and youngsters.

Canada’s long-track speedskating team for the Winter Olympics was named on Thursday.

Canada will head to the Games in Milano Cortina with a strong group—a mix of veterans and youngsters.

Leading the way will be Isabelle Weidmann, who won gold, silver and bronze in 2022.

Weidmann is now one of the leaders on the team.

“I went in 2018, and I was a rookie, and then in 2022, and I was poised to win a bunch of medals. Now I get to go back as the veteran and hopefully pass the torch a little bit and lead some of the younger guys,” said Weidmann.

Calgarian Anders Johnson is going to the Games for the first time.

Anders qualified at trials in his last race on Jan. 3.

“It’s one race, right? And you get that one race every four years to qualify for the Olympics. So the pressure is off now. I’m just so excited, and what an honour and a privilege to go out and represent Canada at the Olympics,” said Johnson.

Ted-Jan Bloemen has won gold and bronze at the Olympics.

This will be his third and last time at the Games.

This one is going to be special because his kids will be with him.

“Maybe you’ve seen my kids around, but they’re going to be in Milan, too. They’re six and three years old, and they’re at an age now where they can really experience it,” said Bloemen.

“I don’t know how many memories you make at three years old, but I hope he can remember it for the rest of his life.”

For veterans like Weidmann and Bloemen, the goal is to bring home more hardware.

“Gold. I want to win. That’s always the goal, and I’m going to give it everything I have,” said Bloemen.

“I had a lot of success on the World Cup circuit this year, so I’m really curious to see how that’s going to go at the Games,” said Weidmann.

“I mean, it’s the same competitors, same event, so I’m excited and hoping to push the podium.”

The other Calgarian going is Brooklyn McDougall.

This will be her second Games.

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games run from Feb. 6 to 22 in Italy.