Kim Boutin Retires: Career Highlights, Olympic Medals, and Fun Facts

Kim Boutin, a short track speed skater from Sherbrooke, Quebec, retired from competitive skating in March 2026 after a career that included six Olympic medals and a world record in the 500 metres. This article covers her retirement announcement, key career statistics, Olympic medal history, and personal background, drawing on official profiles from the Canadian Olympic Committee, the International Skating Union, and Speed Skating Canada.

Last checked: 2026-07-15

Full Name: Kim Boutin · Born: December 16, 1994 · Hometown: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada · Sport: Short track speed skating · Olympic Medals: 6 (six-time Olympic medallist) · World Record: 500 m short track

Did Kim Boutin Retire?

Yes, Kim Boutin retired from competitive short track speed skating after the 2026 ISU World Short Track Championships held in Montreal. Her final race was the 10th-place finish in the 500 metres at the Maurice Richard Arena on March 15, 2026, as confirmed by the International Skating Union.

When Did Kim Boutin Retire?

Boutin’s retirement came in March 2026, immediately after the World Championships. The decision had been planned — she had long signaled that the 2025–2026 season, which included the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics, would be her last. A press release from Speed Skating Canada described her farewell as an “emotional end on home ice,” noting she retired in front of a packed crowd that included family, friends, and fellow skaters.

“On home ice, in front of family and friends and surrounded by her peers, Kim Boutin said an emotional goodbye to Short Track Speed Skating at a packed Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal.”

International Skating Union, “Short Track Waves Fond Farewell to Canadian Icon Kim Boutin”

What Are Some Fun Facts About Kim Boutin?

Beyond her Olympic success, Boutin set a world record in the women’s 500 m on November 3, 2019, becoming the first woman to skate the distance in under 42 seconds with a time of 41.936 seconds, according to Wikipedia. She also won her first individual World Championship gold medal in 2024, taking the women’s 500 m title, as documented by the International Skating Union athlete bio.

At PyeongChang 2018, she became the first Canadian woman to win three individual Olympic medals in short track at a single Games, and the first Canadian woman to medal in the 1500 m event. Because she was Canada’s only triple medallist at those Games, Boutin was chosen as the flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony, per Olympic.ca.

How Many Olympic Medals Does Kim Boutin Have?

Boutin won six Olympic medals over three Games: two silver and four bronze. The breakdown, confirmed by Olympedia, is as follows:

• 2018 PyeongChang: silver in 1000 m, bronze in 500 m and 1500 m
• 2022 Beijing: bronze in 500 m
• 2026 Milano-Cortina: bronze in women’s 3000 m relay, silver in mixed 2000 m relay

With six medals, Boutin is tied as Canada’s most decorated Winter Olympian, sharing the national record with Cindy Klassen and Charles Hamelin.

Where Is Kim Boutin From?

Kim Boutin was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, a city in the Eastern Townships region about 150 kilometres east of Montreal. Her hometown identity is central to her public persona — French-language Canadian media frequently refer to her as “La fusée de l’Estrie” (The Estrie Rocket), as noted by Le Droit. Sherbrooke is located in Quebec, Canada, and Boutin has always competed under the Canadian flag.

Is Kim Boutin from Quebec?

Yes, Boutin is a native of Sherbrooke, Quebec. She started skating at a young age and trained with the Canadian national team program based in Montreal. According to her official Team Canada biography, she grew up in Sherbrooke and often cited her regional roots as a source of pride.

Kim Boutin’s Legendary Career Comes to an Emotional End on Home Ice

The final chapter of Boutin’s career played out in two stages: first at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics in February, where she added two relay medals to her collection, and then at the World Championships in Montreal in March, where she skated her last competitive race. The ISU described the moment as “a fond farewell to a Canadian icon,” noting that Boutin had promised she would “quit with a big smile” (International Skating Union).

What Were Kim Boutin’s Career Highlights?

Beyond the Olympic medals, Boutin’s career included 16 or 17 World Championship podiums (depending on the source) and more than 50 World Cup medals. Speed Skating Canada lists 16 World Championship medals and 79 World Cup medals, while ISU records suggest 17 World Championship podiums. Her 2024 World Championship gold in the 500 m was the first individual World title of her career.

In short track specifically, Boutin became the most decorated Canadian athlete in the discipline’s Olympic history at Milano-Cortina 2026, surpassing Tania Vicent, who had held the previous record of four medals. Le Soleil reported that Boutin “is now alone at the top in short track speed skating” within Canada.

Alternatives: Other decorated Winter Olympians to know

Boutin’s six Olympic medals tie her with Canadian speed skater Cindy Klassen and fellow short tracker Charles Hamelin for the most Winter Olympic medals by a Canadian. Olympic.ca notes that all three athletes hold six medals, though Boutin and Hamelin competed in short track, while Klassen’s medals came in long-track speed skating.

Internationally, short track legends such as Apolo Ohno (eight Olympic medals for the United States) and Viktor Ahn (eight Olympic medals, representing both South Korea and Russia) have higher medal counts, but Boutin’s six medals place her in the upper tier of short track skaters globally. Catriona Lemay Doan, another Canadian speed skater (long track), won five Olympic medals — Boutin surpassed that total with her sixth medal at Milano-Cortina 2026.

For a detailed look at her journey, check out Kim Boutins retirement and career highlights for a comprehensive overview of her medals and personal life.

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