Canada's Olivier Jean, Charles Hamelin pick up short track medals

Canadians Olivier Jean and Charles Hamelin gave Canada its first short track speedskating medals of the season on Saturday in Calgary.

Jean, of Lachenaie, Que., took silver in the 1,000-metre event while Hamelin, of Sainte-Julie, Que., placed third in the 1,500-metre.

Jean had his sights set on gold, but Russian skater Vladimir Grigorev passed him on the final lap to win in a time of one minute and 24.670 seconds. Jean finished in 1:24.813 while American J.R. Celski was third in 1:24.889.

"It feels good. It's the start of the season," Jean said in a release. "Of course I wanted gold to start the season on top of the podium. I did some great racing, but it wasn't perfect. I have some homework to do for the 1,000-metre race next weekend in Montreal."

Hamelin won bronze thanks to a time of 2:14.871, behind Korean skaters Jinku Noh (2:14.588), and Yook-Gy Kwak (2:14.813).

"I'm not completely happy [with the bronze medal], I would have liked to be on the highest step of the podium," Hamelin said. "I did two mistakes in the race the cost me that chance [to win gold]. I hope I will do better tomorrow. The 500 metres will be another game."

On the women's side, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., finished in fourth place in the women's 1000m final after she was penalized.

In the 1,500-metre final Marie-Ève Drolet of Laterrière, Que., finished sixth after she was interfered with by Russian skater Olga Belyakova.