TEAM CANADA SENDS 207 ATHLETES FOR THE 25TH EDITION OF THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
The 25th edition of the Winter Olympic Games will commence on Feb 6th in Milan’s iconic San Siro Olympic Stadium, returning to Italy for the third time. As the name suggests, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games will be hosted in two different cities, marking the first Olympic Games with two host cities. The Olympic torch will burn bright in Italy once again, and Canada’s winter warriors are ready to make their mark on the streets of Milano and the slopes of Cortina.
The games feature 16 different sports, including the newest addition of ski mountaineering, 116 medal events, with approximately 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries. Team Canada sends 207 athletes, making their 25th appearance as they have competed at every Winter Olympics, with 109 first-time Olympians, setting a milestone as Canadian women athletes outnumber men.
Milan will host all of the ice sports, such as hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and short track. Cortina and the surrounding mountains will host all snow sports— alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, cross-country, and the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton at the Cortina Sliding Centre which is being rebuilt from the previous games.
This Olympics is very unique and sustainable which has been a long-time problem from many hosting cities. It is the first Winter Olympics to be co-hosted across two different cities where the venues are spread across 410 kilometres of Northern Italy. Italy demonstrated a sustainability and legacy focus when designing the Olympic Villages, where they will convert them into student housing as a part of their urban regeneration project, and Cortina Village used modular wooden structures. Additionally, 93% of the venues are temporary or already existing, upholding what already exists and what does not need to be built.
Canada ranks fifth all-time among all nations that have competed, with perfect attendance, and is one of only six nations to medal at every Games. The strongest sports by medal count, and sports to watch out for, are speed skating with 42 medals and 10 golds, short track speed skating with 37 medals and 10 golds, and freestyle skiing with 30 medals and 12 golds. But perhaps the most dominant sport for Canada is ice hockey, with 23 medals and 14 golds, making ice hockey not only the most beloved sport, but also our strongest.
The Men’s Hockey team returns to ice for the first time since Sochi in 2014, with high anticipation of best-on-best hockey as a follow up of the four nations tournament. Sidney Crosby will wear the C on his jersey, followed by Conner McDavid, and Macklin Celebrini will make his Olympic debut at the age of 18.
The Women’s team will be led by none other than Captain Clutch Marie-Philip Poulin, competing in her fifth consecutive Olympics. Joined by the Ottawa Charge’s very own Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and Jocelyne Larocque.
The legendary moguls freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury from Deux-Montanges Quebec, competing in his fourth Olympics, with one gold and two silver medals, joins the Ski Cross queen from Whistler British Columbia Mariellle Thompson, with one gold and silver medal to bear the almighty Canadian Flag.
The Canadian Olympic team is joined by the University of Ottawa’s very own Emma Archibald for para nordic skiing, Rachel Homan for curling, and Shilo Rousseau for biathlon.
For a century, Canada has proven itself as a winter sports powerhouse. Now, 207 athletes are ready to write the next chapter of our Olympic story in the Italian Alps. Watch history unfold live on CBC and CBC Gem—let’s cheer our athletes to victory. Go Canada!
