Canada's long track speed skating scene is witnessing an intense battle for Olympic qualification, particularly among its deep pool of male sprinting talent. With only three spots available for the upcoming Games, the competition is a testament to the country's strength in the sport.
A Legacy in the Making
At the heart of this rivalry is Cedrick Brunet, who will celebrate his 25th birthday next week. Brunet is not new to the pressure of high-level competition; it's a family tradition. His aunt is Jennifer Heil, a freestyle skiing moguls champion, his uncle is renowned freestyle ski coach Dominick Gauthier, and his father, Michel Brunet, was an Olympic figure skating ice dancer.
"It's kind of a family thing," Brunet remarked with a smile. "I don't want to do it for my family, I want to do it for myself. But yeah, it's my dream since I was a little kid, in any sport. It's long track right now, but I did a lot of sports when I was younger. To go to the Olympics would mean a lot for me and my family, too."
Building Momentum for the Olympic Push
Brunet's current campaign began on a powerful note, signaling his serious intentions for the season. He won his first career national title at the 2025 Canadian championships, establishing himself as the fastest male sprinter with a time of 34.42 seconds. This early victory provided a crucial confidence boost.
Reflecting on his journey, Brunet acknowledged past challenges. "Last year, excuse me, but it was a shi–y year, with injuries," he explained candidly. "But to be in great shape at the beginning of the season means a lot because I know I'm a better skater at the end of the year. It's a great thing for the future. Everyone's aiming for the Olympics. That's what drives me every day, to be better and just be at the line."
A Fiercely Competitive Field
The depth of Canadian talent was on full display at a recent ISU World Cup event. In the men's 500m race held in Salt Lake City, Brunet finished with a time of 34.63 seconds. He was bested by two fellow countrymen: Laurent Dubreuil, who clocked 34.29, and Christopher Fiola, who finished in 34.53 seconds.
These three skaters are central to the conversation for the coveted Olympic 500m spots, but they are not alone. The field is crowded with other strong contenders, including 21-year-old Yankun Zhao from Calgary and 28-year-old Anders Johnson from Burnaby, B.C.
Brunet analyzed his World Cup performance constructively. "I delivered the performance I could," he stated. "In Salt Lake I was going fast and now it's coming back to reality. But you know what, I'm happy with the performance. I have a lot of things to build for tomorrow. It was good but it can be better."
He also expressed appreciation for the competitive environment. "We have a lot of good skaters and that's fun. We're in the top 20 in the world; it's a lot of fun to train with them and push ourselves to be the best skaters in the world."
The internal competition continues to fuel all the athletes. Christopher Fiola, who moved back into the A group for this event, shared his perspective. "I was a little bit nervous, back in A group, first time this year," he admitted. "You never know what to expect. It was an okay race. But I'm staying pretty even, I'm hopeful for tomorrow. For me, having these guys in the A group is motivating for me because we all compete against each other."
As the season progresses, the race for Olympic qualification will only intensify, with Cedrick Brunet skating not just for a personal dream, but to add a new chapter to his family's storied athletic history.
