The Canadian figure skating team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has been announced, with a total of 12 athletes selected to represent the country. Leading the team are Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, a seasoned ice dance pair who have secured silver at the last two world championships. This will mark their third Olympic appearance together, having previously competed in Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Notably, Poirier will be participating in his fourth Winter Games after his debut at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
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 once again represent Canada and aspire to bring home a medal.” Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will be making their Olympic debut in Italy as a pairs team. Stellato-Dudek, aged 42, will become the oldest female figure skater to compete at a Winter Olympics since Ethel Muckelt in 1928.
The duo has achieved success this season, clinching two medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit, including a silver at the Grand Prix de France and a third consecutive gold at Skate Canada. Stellato-Dudek expressed her joy, saying, “Maxime and I are privileged to represent the maple leaf in Milan. This selection is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and belief, fulfilling a lifelong dream.” The Canadian team will feature seven entries, including three ice dance teams, two pairs, and one entry each in men’s and women’s singles, competing in the team event.
Stephen Gogolev has secured the men’s singles spot, while Madeline Schizas will be participating in the women’s singles event for her second Olympic appearance. 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.) and Zachary Lagha (St-Hubert, Que.)
– Marie-Jade Lauriault (Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Que.) and Romain Le Gac (Laval, Que.)
**Men’s singles:**
– Stephen Gogolev (Toronto)
**Pairs:**
– Deanna Stellato-Dudek (Chicago, Illinois) and Maxime Deschamps (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.)
– Lia Pereira (Milton, Ont.) and Trennt Michaud (Trenton, Ont.)
**Women’s singles:**
– Madeline Schizas (Oakville, Ont.)