Veteran speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen could not contain his excitement as he was officially named to his third and final Canadian Olympic team. The 39-year-old athlete, a two-time silver and one-time bronze medalist, is now setting his sights on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, where a deeply personal milestone awaits him.
A Pinnacle Moment with Family
For Bloemen, this upcoming Olympic appearance holds unique significance beyond the competition. His two young children, Fiene and Thias, aged six and three, will be in attendance in Milan. "It's a really special one for me," Bloemen grinned. "They're at an age now that they can really experience it. I hope he can remember it for the rest of his life." He shared that the children are already thrilled about the prospect of the airplane journey, turning the global sporting event into a cherished family adventure.
The Road to a Golden Finale
With a decorated Olympic history, Bloemen's goal for his final Games is unequivocal. "Gold. I want to win," he stated firmly. "That's always the goal. I'm going to give it everything I have." His selection was part of a 15-skater squad announcement made simultaneously in Calgary and Quebec City on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The team represents a strategic blend of seasoned champions and promising new talent.
Meet the Canadian Long Track Team
The men's team features a strong roster alongside Bloemen, including Cedrick Brunet, Laurent Dubreuil, Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu, Daniel Hall, Anders Johnson, and David LaRue. The women's team is equally formidable, comprising Ivanie Blondin, Laura Hall, Carolina Hillier-Donnelly, Rose Laliberte-Roy, Beatrice Lamarche, Valerie Maltais, Brooklyn McDougall, and Isabelle Weidemann.
Bloemen, as one of the team's most experienced members, embraces his role. "I try to stay young," he remarked. "Surrounding yourself with young people, it helps. I think I can still give them some excitement, some times."
A Newcomer's Emotional Triumph
Among the first-time Olympians is sprinter Anders Johnson, 28, whose qualification carries profound emotional weight. He secured his spot during trials in Quebec City on January 3, which coincided with the birthday of his late uncle. Both his uncle and his grandfather, former WHA Winnipeg Jets player Danny Johnson, passed away from ALS. In a poignant twist, Johnson was named after Jets' star Anders Hedberg.
"I'm so excited," Johnson expressed. "What an honour and a privilege to represent Canada at the Olympics." He credited his success to a steadfast approach, developed with his coach in the spring, focusing on incremental daily improvement and trusting the process without panic as the Games approached.
As the team prepares for its final push towards the 2026 Winter Olympics, the narrative is one of legacy, family, and the relentless pursuit of excellence on the world's biggest athletic stage.
