Quebec Athletes Do Well at Winter Games; City May Host Future Olympics

Quebec athletes are performing well at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, winning medals for Canada. Meanwhile, ideas about Quebec City hosting future Olympic Games are being discussed again. People are looking at the costs and if the city has enough support.
By Newsroom | Sports, Canada |

The presence of Quebec athletes on the international stage at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics highlights the region's ongoing connection to the Olympic movement. While the current Games showcase Quebec talent representing Canada, discussions about the possibility of Quebec hosting future Olympic events persist, raising questions about the region's ambitions and the practicalities involved. This report examines the performance of Quebec athletes in Milan-Cortina, the economic considerations for potential bids, and the broader context of globalized sports participation.

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Quebec's Olympic Footprint in Milan-Cortina

Quebec athletes are making a notable contribution to the Canadian contingent at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Their performances underscore a strong tradition of athletic excellence within the province.

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  • Medal Successes: Several Quebec athletes have achieved significant results.

  • Laurent Dubreuil secured a bronze medal in long-track speed skating (500m) on February 14th. He expressed that a medal is merely an object, with personal achievement being the primary focus.

  • Mikaël Kingsbury claimed a gold medal in the first-ever Olympic parallel moguls event on February 15th, reinforcing his status as a dominant figure in the sport.

  • The mixed short-track speed skating relay team, including Quebecois athletes, earned a silver medal.

  • Broad Representation: A substantial number of athletes from Quebec are part of the Canadian delegation.

  • Out of 49 Quebec athletes representing Canada, there are participants in various disciplines, including figure skating, freestyle skiing, long-track speed skating, and short-track speed skating.

  • Notable athletes include Marie-Philip Poulin (hockey), Laurent Dubreuil (long-track speed skating), and Mikaël Kingsbury (freestyle skiing).

  • Individual Aspirations: Athletes express a strong drive for success, even in the face of challenges.

  • William Dandjinou, despite a fifth-place finish in the 1500m short-track speed skating, remains confident about winning Olympic gold in the future.

The Dream of Hosting: Quebec's Olympic Bid Considerations

Beyond current participation, there is an ongoing dialogue about Quebec potentially hosting future Olympic Games. This aspiration is met with both enthusiasm and a pragmatic assessment of financial and logistical requirements.

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  • Renewed Interest: The Mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand, has revisited the idea of the city hosting a Winter Olympics, expressing an openness to such a possibility. This follows previous considerations and aborted candidacies.

  • Economic Viability: A key concern for any Olympic bid is the cost. Discussions highlight the need for financial prudence.

  • The Sochi Games are cited as an example of excessive spending, with a reported cost nearing $50 billion.

  • Conversely, Milan-Cortina is presented as an example of more affordable Games, with potential savings on infrastructure.

  • The cost of the Montreal 1976 Games is also noted, reaching $1.6 billion, a figure that took 30 years to repay.

  • Community and Business Support: The success of an Olympic bid is seen as dependent on broad support.

  • The Mayor of Quebec City has emphasized the crucial role of major events in attracting public investment and requires the appetite of the population and the business community.

  • A collective dream and a rallying point are considered essential for such an endeavor.

Globalized Sports: Quebec Athletes Competing Under Different Banners

The interconnectedness of global sports means that athletes from Quebec may represent nations other than Canada, driven by various personal and professional factors.

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  • International Representation: Some Quebec athletes are competing in Milan-Cortina representing countries other than Canada.

  • One athlete, whose name is not specified in the provided text, plays hockey in the Czech Republic and competes internationally for South Korea, citing eligibility with a partner and a desire to continue their careers together.

  • Éric Bouchard, formerly an assistant coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), is the head coach of the Italian women's hockey team, contributing to their "Italian Miracle on Ice."

  • Motivations for Change: These decisions are often linked to the pursuit of high-level competition and career longevity.

  • Suzanne Laberge, an associate professor, notes that such "Olympic migrations" are increasingly common in today's globalized world.

  • Another athlete's decision to play for Poland was influenced by her partner's eligibility and a shared desire to continue playing hockey at a high level.

Analysis of Performance and Potential

The performance of Quebec athletes in Milan-Cortina provides data points for evaluating athletic prowess and the potential for future success.

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  • Patinage de vitesse courte piste:

  • | Athlete(s) | Event | Result | Note |

  • | William Dandjinou, Félix Roussel, Kim Boutin, Courtney Sarault | Mixed Short Track Speed Skating Relay | Silver Medal | Canada secured silver. |

  • | William Dandjinou | 1500m Short Track Speed Skating | Did not win gold | Expressed future confidence. |

  • Ski acrobatique/Freestyle:

  • | Athlete | Event | Result | Note |

  • | Mikaël Kingsbury | Parallel Moguls | Gold Medal | First Olympic gold in this event. |

  • Patinage de vitesse longue piste:

  • | Athlete | Event | Result | Note |

  • | Laurent Dubreuil | 500m Long Track Speed Skating | Bronze Medal | Acknowledged personal growth over medal status. |

The participation numbers and medal count suggest that Quebec remains a significant contributor to Canadian Olympic performance. The success in sports like freestyle skiing and speed skating indicates strong development programs and athlete dedication.

Conclusion and Implications

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics showcase the continued prominence of Quebec athletes on the global stage, with notable medal wins and widespread representation. Concurrently, the ongoing discourse surrounding Quebec's potential to host future Olympic Games reveals a blend of ambition and a realistic appraisal of the substantial financial and logistical hurdles involved. The experiences of athletes choosing to compete under different national flags further underscore the evolving nature of international sports in a globalized era.

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The data suggests that:

  • Quebec athletes are achieving tangible success at the current Olympic Games.

  • There is a persistent aspiration within Quebec to host future Olympic events, with significant attention paid to the financial implications.

  • The landscape of Olympic participation is diverse, with athletes from Quebec representing various nations.

Future considerations for Quebec's Olympic engagement will likely involve balancing the immediate successes of its athletes with the long-term strategic planning and economic feasibility required for a potential host city bid. The analysis of costs associated with past Games, such as Montreal and Sochi, alongside the relative affordability of Milan-Cortina, will be instrumental in shaping these discussions.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Quebec athletes won medals at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games?
Laurent Dubreuil won bronze in speed skating, and Mikaël Kingsbury won gold in freestyle skiing. The mixed short-track speed skating team with Quebec athletes also won silver.
Q: Is Quebec City thinking about hosting the Olympics?
Yes, the Mayor of Quebec City has spoken about the possibility of the city hosting a future Winter Olympics.
Q: Why might Quebec athletes compete for other countries?
Some athletes choose to compete for other nations for career reasons or to be with partners who are eligible to compete for those countries.
Q: How much did past Olympics cost?
The Sochi Games cost a lot, near $50 billion. The Montreal Games in 1976 cost $1.6 billion and took many years to pay off.