Canadian Figure Skaters Make Their Mark at Milano-Cortina Winter Games
While Canada's figure skating team secured a fifth-place finish in the team event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the nation's athletes delivered several breakout performances that captured international attention. Despite missing the podium in the team competition, Canadian skaters demonstrated remarkable skill and poise on the world's biggest stage, with many more opportunities ahead in individual events.
Stephen Gogolev's Olympic Breakthrough
Twenty-one-year-old Stephen Gogolev, a University of Toronto political science student, emerged as one of Canada's most promising skating talents during the team competition. Making his Olympic debut, Gogolev displayed exceptional composure under pressure, executing a seamless short program that earned him a personal season best and placed him third in the rankings.
His performance helped propel the Canadian team to Sunday's final, where he delivered a strong free skate despite one slightly shaky landing on a quad toe loop. Gogolev's score came just shy of his international best, prompting a British television commentator to exclaim, "Why haven't we heard of this guy before?"
Gogolev first gained international recognition at age thirteen when he became the first Canadian skater of any age to land a quad lutz in competition. After navigating growth spurts and back injuries that temporarily sidelined him during the 2024-25 season, his Olympic debut represents a significant comeback achievement.
"I think it happens almost every hour that I'm here — just walking around the village, walking to the arena, walking to the practice rink," Gogolev reflected on his Olympic experience. "You feel, 'Wow, I'm really here at the Olympics,' and it's a very special feeling."
Lajoie and Lagha's Artistic Triumph
Ice dance partners Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, who have been skating together since 2011, delivered a particularly memorable performance during the team event free skate. The duo, who placed thirteenth in their Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, earned a season-best score with their interpretation of Nureyev from the 2018 drama White Crow.
Dressed in sheer flowing costumes that transitioned from black to white, Lajoie and Lagha captivated the audience with a performance that departed from their typically high-energy routines. Their artistic presentation held the crowd in silent appreciation, demonstrating significant growth since their previous Olympic appearance.
The years between Olympics proved challenging for Lajoie, who required breaks from training and competition to recover from concussions. Their perseverance paid off with a third-place finish in the team event free skate, fulfilling the prediction made by three-time Olympic gold medalist Scott Moir in 2022 that they would be "the team that we're all going to be watching in 2026."
When asked about podium prospects, Lagha maintained a philosophical perspective: "We honestly don't care. We just want to create a moment. We just want to skate well. And then whatever happens, happens."
Looking Ahead to Individual Events
With the team competition concluded, Canadian skaters now turn their attention to individual events where they have additional opportunities to showcase their talents. Gogolev is scheduled to compete in the men's short program on Tuesday, while Lajoie and Lagha will participate in ice dance competitions in the coming weeks.
These performances establish Canada as a nation with developing figure skating talent capable of competing at the highest international level. While the team result may not have met podium expectations, the individual breakthroughs suggest promising prospects for future competitions and signal the emergence of new Canadian skating stars on the global stage.
