The Canadian team's journey at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was marked by notable successes and unexpected setbacks, culminating in a performance that ultimately fell short of pre-event hopes, yet showcased resilience and emerging talent.
The final days of the Milano-Cortina Games saw Canada add to its medal count, with athletes like short track speed skater Courtney Sarault achieving significant individual success. However, the overall performance was described as "up-and-down," a sentiment echoed by the national team's standings and specific outcomes in popular sports like curling and ice hockey. While the Games brought a renewed sense of enjoyment to winter sports, Canada's participation presented a complex picture of both achievement and areas for future consideration.
Early Struggles and Growing Momentum
Canada's early days at the Milano-Cortina Olympics were characterized by a slower than anticipated medal haul. Reports indicated that through the first 10 days, the team had "more memes than medals." This slow start was further highlighted by the performance of the Canadian mixed doubles curling team, which did not advance past the playoff stage with a record of 4-5.
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However, as the Games progressed, Canada's medal tally began to grow. By a certain point, the country had secured three gold medals and a total of 12 medals. This expansion of Canada's success was fueled by strong performances in speed skating and freestyle skiing.
Key Athletes and Performances
Several Canadian athletes stood out during the Milano-Cortina Games:
Courtney Sarault: The short track speed skater was a standout performer, accumulating four medals—two silver and two bronze. This achievement brought her close to a national record for medals won by a Canadian at a single Winter Olympics.
Steven Dubois: Another short track speed skater, Dubois, earned his fifth career medal, including his first individual gold.
Valérie Maltais: In long track speed skating, Maltais secured bronze in the women's 1,500 metres, bringing her total medal count for the Games to three. This included a gold in the women's team pursuit and a bronze in the 3,000 metres.
Brendan Mackay: The freestyle skier won a bronze medal in the men's freeski halfpipe following a strong final run.
Challenges in Team Sports
While individual athletes achieved notable success, team sports presented a more mixed outcome:
Women's Hockey: The Canadian women's hockey team reached the gold-medal game but ultimately lost to the United States in overtime.
Curling: The mixed doubles curling team's failure to advance past the playoffs, coupled with the performance of other curling teams, indicated challenges in this traditional area of strength for Canada.
Evidence of Performance
| Sport | Event | Outcome | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Track Speed Skating | Multiple events | 4 medals (2 silver, 2 bronze) | CBC Sports |
| Short Track Speed Skating | Men's individual | 1 gold medal | CBC Sports |
| Long Track Speed Skating | Women's 1,500 metres | Bronze medal | CBC |
| Long Track Speed Skating | Women's team pursuit | Gold medal | CBC |
| Long Track Speed Skating | Women's 3,000 metres | Bronze medal | CBC |
| Freestyle Skiing | Men's halfpipe | Bronze medal | CBC |
| Women's Ice Hockey | Gold Medal Game | Loss in overtime to USA | CBC Sports |
| Mixed Doubles Curling | Playoffs | Did not advance (4-5 record) | The Guardian |
Observations on Team Canada's Journey
The narrative surrounding Canada's performance suggests a trajectory from an initially challenging start to a more robust finish. The contrast between early-game struggles, particularly in curling, and the late surge in individual events highlights the fluctuating nature of Olympic competition. The success of athletes like Sarault and Dubois in speed skating demonstrates strong individual preparation and execution. Similarly, Mackay's bronze in freeskiing indicates Canada's continued presence in technically demanding sports.
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The outcome in women's hockey, while a silver medal, represents a closely contested final against a perennial rival. The overtime loss signifies the narrow margins at the elite level of international competition.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Canada's participation in the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics can be summarized as a period of both significant individual triumphs and some collective disappointments. The "up-and-down" nature of the Games, as described, reflects the unpredictable environment of elite sports. While the team achieved a respectable medal count, it did not entirely meet initial expectations.
The successes in speed skating and freestyle skiing offer a positive outlook for future competitions, showcasing the development of key athletes. Conversely, challenges in sports like curling warrant further examination. The overall experience in Milano-Cortina appears to have provided valuable lessons and demonstrated the ongoing spirit of Canadian athletes on the international stage.
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Sources Used:
Ciao to an up-and-down Olympics for Canada | CBC Sports: This article provides a concluding overview of Canada's performance, highlighting key medal winners and the overall sentiment of the Games.🔗 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/the-buzzer-newsletter-wrapup-feb23-9.7101952
From cursing curlers to comeback: is Canada on the turnaround after slow Olympic start? | The Guardian: This report details Canada's early struggles, contrasting them with a later increase in medal wins, and specifically mentions issues in curling.🔗 Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/18/canada-olympics-medal-drought-comeback
2026 Olympic Games: Canada wins another pair of bronze medals in speed skating and freestyle skiing on Day 14 | CBC: This live update article focuses on specific medal wins in speed skating and freestyle skiing during the later stages of the Games.🔗 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/livestory/olympics-2026-milano-cortina-winter-olympic-games-day-14-team-canada-live-updates-9.7098418
Home - Team Canada: This is the official Team Canada website, a general source for Olympic information, though specific performance details were not extensively drawn from its summary for this report.🔗 Link: https://olympic.ca/
