Kim Boutin: Biography, Career Highlights, and Retirement

Kim Boutin retired from short track speed skating in March 2026 after racing on home ice at the ISU World Championships in Montreal. The Canadian speed skater leaves the sport as a six-time Olympic medalist whose career spanned three Winter Games and includes a world record in the 500 metres. This article traces her competitive career, explains the circumstances of her retirement, and answers the most common questions fans ask about her biography, records, and legacy.

Last checked: 2026-07-15

Full name: Kim Boutin · Sport: Short track speed skating · Nationality: Canadian · Career status: Retired (2024) · Hometown: Sherbrooke, Quebec

Did Kim Boutin retire?

Yes. Boutin ended her competitive career at the ISU World Short Track Championships in Montreal in March 2026. Her final race was the women’s 500 m, where she finished fifth in her heat and placed 10th overall, according to Le Droit. Speed Skating Canada described her farewell as “an emotional end on home ice” in front of a sellout crowd at the Maurice Richard Arena.

The decision to retire had been building for several years. In 2019, Boutin told CBC News she had considered stepping away after PyeongChang 2018, partly to focus on her mental health and studies. She ultimately returned for a second Olympics in Beijing 2022, then chose to continue through Milano-Cortina 2026 and the subsequent World Championships before hanging up her skates.

“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 news report, ISU

What this means: Boutin’s retirement closed a chapter that began in 2014–15 with her first national team season and ended with six Olympic medals, a world record, and a place among Canada’s most decorated Winter Olympians.

What are some fun facts about Kim Boutin?

Beyond her Olympic medals, Boutin’s career is packed with notable achievements and turning points.

World record in the 500 m

On 3 November 2019, Boutin skated the women’s 500 m in 41.936 seconds, becoming the first woman ever to break the 42‑second barrier. The record still stands as of 2025, per Wikipedia. She also won the overall World Cup title in the 500 m during the 2019–20 season and collected eight World Cup golds that year, according to her representation agency, AF‑2.

Triple-medal performance at one Olympics

At PyeongChang 2018, Boutin became the first Canadian female short track skater to win three individual medals at a single Games. She took silver in the 1 000 m and bronze in the 500 m and 1 500 m. The feat was matched by only one other woman in history at the time. She also earned the honour of carrying the Canadian flag into the Closing Ceremony, as confirmed by Olympic.ca.

First World Championship gold

In 2024, after years of World Championship bronze and silver, Boutin finally won the women’s 500 m world title. Her ISU athlete profile counts 17 World Championship medals, while Speed Skating Canada tallies 16; the exact figure depends on whether relay medals and certain older podiums are included.

Resilience after online abuse

Shortly after winning her first Olympic medal in PyeongChang, Boutin faced a barrage of online threats from fans of a disqualified South Korean skater. She spoke openly about the toll it took and later used her platform to advocate for athlete mental health, as covered by The Athletic.

The pattern: Boutin’s career is defined not just by medals but by a series of historic “firsts” in Canadian short track, combined with a resilience that made her a fan favourite.

Where is Kim Boutin from?

Kim Boutin was born on 16 December 1994 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, a city about 150 km east of Montreal. She grew up in the Eastern Townships region and began skating at a young age. She represents Canada internationally, as stated on her Olympedia profile. Sherbrooke is also where she returned during breaks in the competition calendar, often training at local rinks maintained by Speed Skating Canada.

Boutin’s connection to her hometown remained strong throughout her career. Quebec media regularly highlighted her as a local hero, and her retirement race in Montreal – less than two hours from Sherbrooke – allowed family and childhood friends to be in the stands.

“Au cours de sa carrière, la « Fusée de l’Estrie » a remporté six médailles olympiques, un record pour un athlète canadien aux Jeux d’hiver qu’elle partage avec Cindy Klassen et Charles Hamelin.”

— Le Droit, 15 March 2026

Why this matters: Boutin’s roots in Sherbrooke and her decision to end her career in Quebec underscore the strong regional identity that has accompanied her rise from local prodigy to national record‑holder.

What is Catriona Le May Doan doing now?

Readers who search for Kim Boutin often also ask about other Canadian speed skaters. Catriona Le May Doan, the Olympic champion long‑track speed skater, now works as a motivational speaker and Olympic commentator. She is still married to Bart Doan and remains active in the Canadian sports community.

Where is Beth Heiden now?

Beth Heiden (formerly a US speed skater and cyclist) is a veterinarian in Wisconsin. She won a bronze medal in the 3 000 m at the 1980 Winter Olympics and later competed in cycling at a high level. She has largely stayed out of the public spotlight since retiring from competition.

What is Apolo Ohno doing now?

Apolo Ohno, the most decorated American Winter Olympian (eight medals in short track), has transitioned into a career as a TV personality and entrepreneur. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, authored a book, and runs a supplement company. He remains a prominent voice in the short track community.

These updates are based on publicly available information from career profiles and media interviews.

The bottom line: While Boutin’s retirement marks the end of a major chapter in Canadian short track, other Olympic speed skaters from different eras have built successful second careers in entirely different fields.

Frequently asked questions about Kim Boutin

Further reading on our site: Short Track Milano Cortina 2026 – Venue, Schedule and Events Guide | Speed Skating Milano Cortina 2026: Schedule, Tickets, Venue