It might have been a record for the shortest-tenured record holder of all time.
Quebec City’s Laurent Dubreuil was ever so briefly in line to win Canada’s first gold medal. Not only that, but he set an Olympic record in the process.
Skating in the men’s short track 500-metre finals, Dubreuil ripped off the starting line, leaving his race compatriot Cooper McLeod of the United States in the dust.
By the time he finished his race, he had set an Olympic record. Dubreuil’s time of 34.26 seconds beat the previous mark of 34.33.
However, the record-setting feat was short-lived.
When the United States’ Jordan Stolz and the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo stepped up to the line, they authored races that narrowly beat Dubreuil’s record.
Both skaters finished first and second respectively. For a few minutes, it looks like Dubreuil might not medal at all.
Thankfully, even though he lost his record-setting time in a matter of minutes, the 33-year-old still came home with a bronze medal.
Pretty impressive stuff, considering he wasn’t a medal favourite heading into the event.
What a whirlwind for Laurent Dubreuil.
Sets an Olympic record. In the gold medal position.
Then, looks like he might not medal at all.
Thankfully, he comes home with bronze for Canada 🍁
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) February 14, 2026
Not only did he win a medal, but his podium finish avenges a heartbreaking turn of events from four years ago.
At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Dubreuil finished 0.03 seconds off the podium in the same event. However, he did win a silver medal in the men’s 1000-metre short track event back in 2022.
Canada now has eight medals total, including five bronze medals.
They’re still searching for that elusive gold.