Canada’s figure skating team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics has been announced, with Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier leading the squad of 12 athletes.
Gilles and Poirier, a seasoned ice dance pair, are set to compete in their third consecutive Olympics after previously participating in Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Poirier, in particular, will be making his fourth Winter Games appearance, having previously competed in Vancouver in 2010.
Expressing their gratitude, Poirier stated, “Piper and I are thrilled to be chosen for our third Olympic Games alongside this exceptional team! We are eager to represent Canada once again and aspire to bring home a medal.”
-
Canadian figure skaters ready to emerge from shadow of vaunted 2018 team
-
Schizas wins 4th title, Gilles and Poirier capture 5th crown at Canadian figure skating championships
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, a pairs team, will be making their Olympic debut in Italy. Stellato-Dudek, at 42, will become the oldest female figure skater to compete at a Winter Olympics since Ethel Muckelt of Great Britain, who competed at the same age in 1928.
The duo achieved notable success on the ISU Grand Prix circuit this season, securing silver at the Grand Prix de France and clinching their third consecutive gold at Skate Canada.
Stellato-Dudek expressed her excitement, saying, “Maxime and I feel privileged to represent the maple leaf in Milan. This selection is the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and belief, and it is truly a dream come true.”
Canada will be represented by seven entries in total, including three ice dance teams, two pairs, and one athlete each for men’s and women’s singles, competing in the team event.
Stephen Gogolev secured the men’s singles spot, while Madeline Schizas will be making her second Olympic appearance in the women’s event.
The figure skating competitions at the Games will take place at the Milano Ice Skating Arena from February 6 to 19.
Full team
Ice dance
- Piper Gilles (Toronto) and Paul Poirier (Unionville, Ont.)
- Marjorie Lajoie(Boucherville, Que.) andZachary Lagha(St-Hubert, Que.)
- Marie-Jade Lauriault(Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Que.) andRomain Le Gac(Laval, Que.)
Men’s singles
- Stephen Gogolev(Toronto)
Pairs
- Deanna Stellato-Dudek(Chicago, Illinois) andMaxime Deschamps(Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.)</li