Olympics Day 1: Two Medals to go in the History Books

Isabelle Weidemann skating in her bronze medal win. (Credit Phil Noble | Credit: Reuters)

Day 1 of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games saw Canada win two medals, both with historical impact.

Team Canada’s first medal of the Olympics belongs to Long Track Speed Skater Isabelle Weidemann. The 26-year-old from Ottawa, ON, claimed the bronze medal with a time of 3:58.64. That victory marks the 200th all-time medal for Canada at the Winter Olympics.

Her teammates Valérie Maltais and Ivanie Blondin finished well off the podium in 12th and 14th with times of over four minutes.

It is without a doubt that Ste-Agathe, QC native Mikaël Kingsbury is the best moguls skier in the world, as he continues to find ways to win. Kingsbury in his third Olympics, was looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Canadian Alex Bilodeau who won back-to-back gold medals in 2010 and 2014.

After a silver in 2014, in the shadows of Bilodeau, Kingsbury put everyone on notice with his gold in 2018. However, the moguls phenom finished in second place with a score of 82.18. On the bright side, he became the most decorated male Freestyle Skier with three Olympic medals.

Canada had a chance at a third historical medal on the day in Short Track Speed Skating. The Mixed 2000m relay was making its Olympic debut and Canada qualified for the final with the fastest time. However, after a collision, Canada regrouped and finished third. The only problem is that Canada were the ones that caused the contact therefore they were disqualified and left off the podium.

In Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle, three Canadians started but one made it out.

Canada Women’s Hockey Dominates Once Again.

Canada seemed to be spoiled with having Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Fillier on the same team. Some may be concerned that Poulin only has four assists in the 23 goals Canada has scored so far. Poulin is known to score when it matters the most, so there is no doubt that she will start to heat up soon.

Canada got off to a rough start in Mixed Doubles after losing their first game against Sweden 6-2 in seven ends. They managed to rebound against the Americans putting up a seven-end victory of their own by a score of 7-2. Rachel Homa and John Morris currently sit tied for third in the standings with Great Britain with four wins and two losses. Team USA sits behind them in fifth with a 3-3 record. With three games left to play, Canada needs to finish in the top-4 to play for a medal.

In Day 2, Canada will look to be one step closer to defending their Figure Skating Mixed Team gold.

Homan and Morris play the Czechs and Australia in Mixed Doubles.

Laurie Blouin will look to get back on the podium in Snowboard Slopestyle as the Men go through qualifications.

Justine Dufour-Lapointe and Ted-Jan Bloemen will also be in the hunt for a medal in Moguls and Long Track Speed Skating.