Prime Minister's Joyful Call to Olympic Champion
In a heartwarming display of national pride, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney personally congratulated freestyle skiing icon Mikael Kingsbury for breaking what had been dubbed Canada's Olympic gold medal "curse" at the Milano-Cortina Games. The video call, shared by Team Canada on social media, captured a moment of pure celebration as Kingsbury held up his hard-earned gold medal with a beaming smile.
Ending the Drought with Historic Performance
Kingsbury's victory in the dual moguls event marked Canada's first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, coming after several days of anticipation and mounting pressure. The native of Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, revealed that he had been motivated by online comments about Canada's unlucky streak, using them as fuel to secure the top podium finish. "I woke up very motivated and I wanted to get that gold," Kingsbury told Carney during their conversation.
This achievement is particularly significant as it represents the first time in Olympic history that an athlete has won gold in the dual moguls discipline. At 33 years old, Kingsbury defeated Japan's Ikuma Horishima in a head-to-head final, solidifying his status as one of Canada's greatest winter sports athletes.
A Career Culmination and National Unifier
Prime Minister Carney praised Kingsbury not just for this single victory, but for his entire illustrious career spanning four Olympic Games and resulting in five medals. "You go out on gold, you carry the flag," Carney said, referencing Kingsbury's role as Canada's flag bearer at the opening ceremony. The Prime Minister emphasized the timing of the win, noting that it came when the country needed inspiration most, particularly in the wake of recent national tragedies.
Carney's emotional response to Kingsbury's achievement reflected broader national sentiment, with the skier's success serving as a unifying moment for Canadians. The Prime Minister's genuine laughter and admiration during their exchange highlighted how sports achievements can transcend athletic competition and become sources of collective pride during challenging times.
Legacy and Future of Canadian Moguls
Kingsbury's victory not only ends Canada's gold medal drought at these Games but also cements his legacy as the all-time leader in World Cup moguls wins. Interestingly, the athlete he defeated in the final, Ikuma Horishima, is someone Kingsbury himself has identified as his likely successor in the sport. This passing of the torch moment adds another layer of significance to what may be Kingsbury's final Olympic appearance.
The celebration between Prime Minister and athlete represents more than just congratulations for a sporting achievement—it symbolizes how Olympic success can uplift an entire nation and provide moments of joy and unity that extend far beyond the competition venue.
