More than half of Canada’s Olympic athletes will be making their debut at the upcoming Winter Games in Milan Cortina, as announced by the Canadian Olympic Committee on Thursday. Out of the 207 athletes set to compete in Italy, 109 will be participating in their first Winter Olympics.
Jennifer Heil, a renowned Olympic moguls skiing champion and Canada’s chef de mission for the Games, emphasized the significance of showcasing the country’s values through sports. Among the Canadian contingent, 47 athletes already hold Olympic medals, including veterans like Marie-Philip Poulin, Valerie Maltais, and Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes gearing up for their fifth Olympic appearance.
Eric Myles, the COC’s chief sport officer, expressed anticipation for the remarkable performances this diverse group of athletes will deliver in Milan Cortina. He highlighted the years of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience required for athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
The upcoming competition, spanning from Feb. 6-22, will be the most geographically dispersed Winter Games in history, with nearly 3,000 athletes from 93 countries spread across six Olympic villages in Northern Italy. The athletes will compete in 116 events across ice and snow, representing eight sports and 16 disciplines.
Furthermore, Canadian bobsledder Cynthia Appiah, who transitioned from an alternate brakewoman to pilot after the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, is among those excited to represent Canada in Milan Cortina. Appiah’s recent success, including a silver medal at a World Cup event, has been a testament to her perseverance and dedication towards achieving her Olympic dreams.
In addition to the athletes, the Canadian delegation will include 231 national sport organization support staff and coaches, supported by 181 Canadian Olympic Committee Mission Team members, including former Olympians and Pan American Games athletes. The opening ceremony on Feb. 6 will be broadcast live on CBC-TV, with full coverage available on CBC Gem and the CBC Olympic website.
The composition of Team Canada for the upcoming Winter Games showcases a diverse mix of athletes, with 108 identifying as female or competing in women’s events, and 99 identifying as male or competing in men’s events. Notably, this marks the first Winter Games where female athletes outnumber their male counterparts in Canadian representation.
The team also includes sets of siblings and athletes hailing from various provinces and territories across Canada. With a rich tapestry of backgrounds and experiences, Team Canada is poised to make a strong impression at the Milan Cortina Olympics.