XVII Olympic Winter Games
The Olympic Winter Games returned to Norway for a second time. The 104-strong Canadian team turned in its best-ever Winter Games performance with 13 medals — three gold, six silver, four bronze — in seven sports, 15 best-ever results, and 34 top-eight finishes.
Biathlete Myriam Bédard was the toast of the games with her gold medals in the 7.5km and 15km, and was subsequently given the honour of Canadian team flag bearer for closing ceremonies.
Jean-Luc Brassard took gold in moguls, while veteran teammates Philippe Laroche and Lloyd Langlois finished first and second in the inaugural aerials event.
In speed skating, three-time Olympian Susan Auch won silver in the 500 m, while the short track team was responsible for three medals. The tenacious Nathalie Lambert took silver in the inaugural 1000 m and teamed up with Christine Boudrias, Isabelle Charest, and veteran Sylvie Daigle for another silver in the 3000 m relay. Marc Gagnon skated his way to bronze in the 1000 m.
In figure skating, Elvis Stojko captured silver while four-time Olympian Lloyd Eisler and three-time Olympian Isabelle Brasseur won their second Olympic pairs bronze medal.
Canada’s first medal at the Games came from skier Edi Podivinsky, whose bronze in the men’s downhill equaled Canada’s best ever performance in that event. Canada’s final medal of the Games came from the men’s hockey team on the last day. Canada came away with silver, after losing in an emotionally charged game and dramatic shoot-out to Sweden.
