Canadian Olympic short track speed skating team announced for Milano Cortina 2026
MONTREAL (December 17, 2025) – Speed Skating Canada (SSC) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have announced the roster of Team Canada short track athletes selected to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their performances at the four designated ISU Short Track World Tour stops. The stops, held in October and November 2025, counted toward the Special Olympic Qualifying Classifications, via which Canada secured the maximum number of quota spots for only the second time since Nagano 1998.
Women’s team skaters includes:
Danaé Blais (Châteauguay, Que.)
Kim Boutin (Sherbrooke, Que.)
Florence Brunelle (Trois-Rivières, Que.)
Rikki Doak (Fredericton, N.B.)
Courtney Sarault (Moncton, N.B.)
Claudia Gagnon (La Baie, Que.) – Alternate
Ann-Sophie Bachand (Sherbrooke, Que.) – Alternate
Men’s team skaters includes:
William Dandjinou (Montreal, Que.)
Steven Dubois (Terrebonne, Que.)
Maxime Laoun (Montreal, Que.)
Jordan Pierre-Gilles (Sherbrooke, Que.)
Félix Roussel (Sherbrooke, Que.)
Mathieu Pelletier (Laval, Que.) – Alternate
Philippe Daudelin (Trois-Rivières, Que.) – Alternate
Four-time Olympic medallist Kim Boutin will represent Canada at her third Olympic Winter Games. She won bronze in the 500m at Beijing 2022 and three medals at her Olympic debut in PyeongChang 2018 (silver in the 1000m, bronze in the 500m and 1500m). On the world stage, Boutin has earned 17 career medals at the ISU World Short Track Championships, including her first individual world title in 2024 in the 500m.
Courtney Sarault won the ISU Crystal Globe as the top woman overall during the 2025-26 ISU Short Track World Tour, earning nine individual medals (five gold, three silver, one bronze) across the four stops. She will compete in her second Olympic Winter Games alongside Danaé Blais and Florence Brunelle, while Rikki Doak will make her Olympic debut.
“Qualifying for my second Olympics is really something special, especially because I’m feeling strong and at the top of my game,” said Sarault. “Representing Canada is something I take a lot of pride in, and I’m really excited to compete and show the world what I have to give. I’ve changed a lot since Beijing and feel I’m mentally and physically ready going into these Games. I’m looking forward to having my friends and family in Milan to support me, and people in the stands to cheer me on. Really excited to get to live a true Olympic experience and enjoy the moment.”
William Dandjinou will make his Olympic debut as the top-ranked skater in the men’s ISU Short Track World Tour standings. The Montreal-based athlete reached the podium eight times individually throughout the 2025-26 World Tour with three gold and one silver in the 500m, one gold in the 1000m, and three gold in the 1500m. These performances secured his second consecutive individual ISU Crystal Globe and contributed to the Canadian Ice Maples winning a second straight ISU Short Track World Tour Team Crystal Globe.
Steven Dubois is a three-time Olympic medallist, having won a medal of each colour in his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, including gold in the 5000m relay with teammates Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Maxime Laoun. This year, he finished third in the overall World Tour standings. Félix Roussel will make his Olympic debut, while Pierre-Gilles and Laoun will compete in their second Winter Games.
“This second Olympic qualification means a lot to me,” says Steven Dubois. “It’s been four years in the making, a full training cycle that was a bit different than for Beijing. I find it cool to see how much effort is needed to get to this point. I am super excited to go to Milan and crown this with the performances we will deliver. I will also try to take it in and appreciate my teammates, the Village and the spirit of the Games. I believe that this was missing in Beijing with all the restrictions in place. I hope to be able to take advantage of the context and offer my best performances ever while the crowd and my family will be on site to see me. Beyond the medals, what I can hope for is to give out as much as I want. I am certain I will be fulfilled if that happens.”
“Canada has firmly established itself as a global powerhouse in short track speed skating, earning back-to-back Team Crystal Globes,” said Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer of Speed Skating Canada. “We’re thrilled that these 10 exceptional athletes will have the chance to showcase their world-class talent on the Olympic stage at Milano Cortina 2026. Their success is built on a foundation of teamwork and relentless dedication, supported by coaches and staff who have created a culture where excellence thrives. We can’t wait to see them inspire Canadians with their performances on the ice in Italy this February.”
Canada has won an impressive 37 Olympic medals (10 gold, 13 silver, 14 bronze) in short track speed skating since the sport was officially added to the Olympic program at Albertville 1992, including five medals at Beijing 2022 and four at Turin 2006, the last time the Games were hosted in Italy. It is the country’s second most successful Winter Olympic sport, behind only long track speed skating (42 medals).
Short track speed skating will take place from February 10 to 20 (Day 4 to 14) at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.
“Absolutely thrilled for the short track speed skating athletes named to the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Olympic Team,” said Jennifer Heil, Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission. “With such a strong and experienced short track speed skating squad, Team Canada is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats and bring the arena in Milan to life.”
Coaches
Sébastien Cros (Aubenas, France) – Assistant Coach
Marc Gagnon (Chicoutimi, Que.) – Head Coach
Support Staff
Stéphane Côté (Quebec City, Que.) – Media Attaché
Laurent Daignault (Montreal, Que.) – Equipment Technician
Alexis Gagnon-Dolbec (Saint-Roch-sur-Richelieu, Que.) – Sport Psychologist
Olivier Jean (Lachenaie, Que.) – IST Lead and Tactical Coach
Antoine Léger (Laval, Que.) – Physiotherapist
Gabrielle Ostiguy (Gatineau, Que.) – Physician
Kevin Roux (Val-des-Sources, Que.) – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Marc Schryburt (Ottawa, Ont.) – Team Leader
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
The latest Team Canada roster can be found here and the qualification tracker can be found here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Arianne Cloux, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-606-2441
E: acloux@olympic.ca
Alain Brouillette, Manager, Marketing and Communications
Speed Skating Canada
C: 613-601-2630
E: abrouillette@speedskating.ca