As the countdown to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games begins, Canada is poised to assert its dominance on the international stage. The Games, set to take place from February 6 to February 22 in Milan-Cortina, will showcase a Canadian delegation of 207 athletes, comprising 108 women and 99 men, each determined to surpass the nation’s performance from the last Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Aiming for the Podium
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has set ambitious targets, aiming to improve upon the nation’s fourth-place finish in Beijing, where Canada secured a total of 26 medals—four gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze. Dave Shoemaker, the COC’s chief executive officer, expressed the collective aspiration to better their medal tally, stating, “We always aspire to do better from a medal count perspective than the prior Games. We won 26 medals in Beijing, and so that’s a bit of a target.”
The upcoming Games will feature a mix of seasoned athletes and fresh talent, with 98 members of the Canadian team boasting previous Olympic experience, including 47 who have medalled before. Among the veterans are iconic figures from the 2010 Vancouver Games, such as hockey stars Sidney Crosby and Marie-Philip Poulin, as well as speedskater Valerie Maltais and curler Marc Kennedy.
Building on Experience
Canada’s rich history in winter sports is reflected in the diverse backgrounds of its athletes. Notable among them is Regina snowboarder Mark McMorris, who has captured slopestyle bronze medals in three consecutive Winter Olympics since 2014. McMorris pointed out the motivation derived from his longevity in the sport, noting, “There’s not a kid in the men’s slopestyle that’s even attempting to be at this Olympics that was in 2014 Sochi, so that is a motivation on its own. I take a lot of pride in my longevity… in competitive snowboarding.”
The Canadian squad is particularly strong in foundational sports such as freestyle skiing and speed skating, with expectations that these disciplines will yield significant medal opportunities. Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer of Own The Podium, highlighted the potential for success, stating, “They are what we would call foundational sports with strong multi-medal potential.”
Hockey and Curling: A Return to Glory
The return of NHL players to Olympic ice hockey for the first time since 2014 adds an exciting dimension to the competition. Canada’s men’s and women’s hockey teams are expected to be strong contenders for the podium, with the women’s team defending its gold medal against Finland in the opening match scheduled for Thursday.
Mixed doubles curling will also commence shortly, adding to the anticipation surrounding Canada’s prospects across the board. The combination of experienced Olympians and new talent will be crucial as the nation seeks to reclaim its status among the top three countries in the medal race, alongside Norway, Germany, and the United States.
The Funding Challenge
Despite the optimism surrounding the Games, there are pressing concerns regarding funding for Canadian athletes. The COC has appealed to the federal government for an annual increase of $144 million in core funding, arguing that support has stagnated since 2005. Athletes are feeling the strain of these financial challenges, as they are required to achieve excellence with diminishing resources. Shoemaker acknowledged the situation, stating, “The burden is shifting increasingly to Canada’s athletes who are having to increasingly do more with less.”
Why it Matters
The upcoming Winter Games in Milan-Cortina represent not just an opportunity for Canadian athletes to shine, but also a crucial moment for the nation to reflect on its commitment to sport. As athletes strive for excellence on the world stage, their performances can inspire a collective sense of pride and unity among Canadians. The stories of success and perseverance resonate deeply, reinforcing the importance of investing in high-performance sport as a means of fostering national pride and community spirit. The call for enhanced funding is not simply about medals; it is about nurturing the next generation of athletes and ensuring that Canada remains competitive in the global sporting arena.
