The Canadian Olympic Committee got it right in choosing Kim Boutin of Sherbrooke, Quebec to carry the flag for Canada in the closing ceremonies of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. Even though she did not win an Olympic gold medal, Boutin won three medals for Canada to lead the team.
Boutin won three short track speed skating medals. She won silver in the women’s 1000 metres and bronze in the women’s 500 and 1500 metres.
However it was after Boutin’s bronze medal in the women’s 500 metres that she received the most press. Boutin was heavily criticized by many on social media (mainly South Koreans) for finishing third and the fact that South Korea’s Min-jeong Choi was penalized in the final. According to Caroline Cameron of Rogers Sportsnet, Boutin even received death threats. For Boutin to overcome this much adversity and win two more Olympic medals, made her a fine choice to carry the Canadian flag on Sunday.
Boutin contributed to Canada’s record of 29 medals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. The previous Canadian record was 26 medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Canada finished third in the overall medal standings behind Norway at 39 medals and Germany at 31 medals. Norway’s 39 medals broke the record previously set by the United States, which had 37 medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Norway and Germany each had 14 gold medals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, which tied the record Canada set at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
