The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy are drawing closer, with a key event on the path to the Games kicking off in Canada this weekend. The short track speed skating World Tour, formerly known as the World Cup, begins at Montreal’s Maurice Richard Arena. This season, the tour has been condensed to four stops to accommodate the Olympics, with Montreal hosting the first two events followed by Poland and the Netherlands. The world championships are also set to take place in Montreal in March, shortly after the Olympics.
The World Tour involves qualifying rounds over the first two days, leading up to the medal rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Athletes compete in three individual distances (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m) and three relays (men’s 5,000m, women’s 3,000m, mixed 2,000m). Points are accumulated throughout the season, culminating in the awarding of the Crystal Globe trophies to the top skaters in each distance and the overall champion. Additionally, a team Crystal Globe is awarded to the country with the highest point total.
This year’s World Tour will play a crucial role in determining the Olympic entries for each country and the athletes who will fill them. The Canadian short track skaters put on an impressive performance at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, securing four medals. Looking ahead to the 2026 Games, there is optimism that the Canadian team could surpass their previous record and achieve even greater success.
Canada’s dominance in short track speed skating was evident last season, with Canadian skaters winning a total of 37 medals, including 21 gold, across the six stops on the World Tour. At the world championships in Beijing, Canada continued its success by claiming six out of nine events, with Steven Dubois and Will Dandjinou leading the charge. Dubois, a standout performer, secured multiple gold medals, while Dandjinou emerged as a top competitor in the sport.
The Canadian team’s impressive showing on the World Tour and at the world championships has positioned them as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Winter Olympics. With their strong track record and talented roster, Canada is poised to make a significant impact in Milan this February.
