In 2018, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir showcased a remarkable performance at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, securing a gold medal at the Olympics with a record-breaking score. CBC Sports analyst Brenda Irving hailed them as the greatest ice dancers of their time. This victory marked Canada’s most recent Olympic gold in figure skating. In Pyeongchang, Canadian figure skaters claimed four podium finishes, including team gold with Virtue and Moir, bronze for Kaetlyn Osmond, and Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford.
Looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026, Canada aims for at least one medal. The expectations are tempered, recognizing the challenge of following up on the success of the previous generation. Skate Canada’s high-performance director, Mike Slipchuk, draws on the experience of 2018 to prepare the current team for the upcoming Games.
After the golden era of 2018, Canadian figure skating saw retirements of key athletes like Virtue, Moir, Duhamel, Radford, Osmond, and Chan. The team faced a rebuilding phase, with the absence of medal wins at Beijing 2022. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier emerged as medal contenders, striving to carve their own path and legacy in the sport.
Gilles and Poirier have shown resilience and determination, focusing on their passion for figure skating and storytelling. Their recent performances at world championships reflect their progress and determination to succeed at the Olympic level. The duo faced challenges, including controversial judging decisions, but they remain undeterred in their pursuit of an Olympic medal in Italy.
In singles, Canada’s Stephen Gogolev has shown promise after overcoming injuries and achieving success in recent international competitions. Men’s singles at nationals is expected to be fiercely competitive, with Gogolev among the top contenders. The depth of talent in figure skating has increased globally, posing a greater challenge for Canadian skaters.
As Canada looks towards the future, there is hope in the emerging talent on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and promising young skaters like Lia Cho. The 2026 Olympics present an opportunity for Canadian figure skating to build momentum, showcase unexpected performances, and potentially secure medals. While the legacy of the 2018 team remains cherished, the focus now is on supporting the current athletes to excel and embrace the challenges ahead.
