In 2018, the Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang witnessed the final Olympic performance of renowned ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The Canadian pair clinched gold with a mesmerizing rendition of the “Moulin Rouge” routine, setting a world-record score and solidifying their status as the greatest ice dancers of their time, according to CBC Sports analyst Brenda Irving.
Their victory marked Canada’s most recent Olympic gold in figure skating. Alongside other Canadian skaters, Virtue and Moir contributed to a total of four podium finishes in Pyeongchang, including a team gold and bronze medals by Kaetlyn Osmond and the duo of Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford.
Fast forward eight years, and Canada is aiming for at least one medal at Milano Cortina 2026, recognizing the challenge of following up on past successes.
Skate Canada’s high-performance director, Mike Slipchuk, drew on the experience from 2018 to prepare the current team for the upcoming Olympics. Despite the high expectations set by the previous golden generation, Slipchuk remains optimistic about the team’s readiness for the different dynamics of the upcoming Games.
Post the 2018 Olympic triumphs, several Canadian figure skaters retired, leading to a rebuilding phase within the sport. The absence of notable figures like Virtue, Moir, Duhamel, Radford, Osmond, and Chan has paved the way for a new wave of talent to emerge.
Gilles and Poirier, among the medal contenders, have showcased consistent performances, with Slipchuk and Moir acknowledging their progress. The pair’s recent achievements, coupled with Slipchuk’s positive evaluation, indicate a promising future for Canadian figure skating.
In the singles category, Stephen Gogolev, once hailed as a rising star, has resurfaced after battling injuries. His recent successes hint at a competitive men’s singles field at the nationals, with other strong contenders like Roman Sadovsky and Keegan Messing vying for Olympic spots.
The depth of competition in figure skating has increased globally, challenging traditional powerhouses like Canada to adapt and innovate. While the road to the podium may be tougher, Slipchuk and Wong emphasize the growth and diversity within the sport as a positive development.
Looking ahead, Canadian figure skating is nurturing a new generation of talent, with promising results in junior competitions and emerging young stars like Lia Cho. The 2026 Olympics present an opportunity for Canada to build momentum, showcase talent, and embrace the evolving landscape of international figure skating.