Canada’s short track teams are poised to excel in the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics. Their history in this thrilling sport is impressive, with consistent medal performance since its Olympic debut in 1992.
Canada’s Short Track Legacy
Since short track was introduced in Albertville, France, Canada has never won fewer than three medals at each Winter Games. In the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the Canadian team secured four medals, placing second, just behind South Korea’s five medals.
The crowning moment came when Charles Hamelin, at 37 years old, led the men’s relay team to a gold medal in his final Olympic performance. This victory increased his career total to six Olympic medals, tying him with former long-track skater Cindy Klassen for the most by a Canadian in Winter Games history. Hamelin, however, retired shortly after, creating a void in the team.
Recent Achievements
Despite Hamelin’s departure, Canada has thrived, securing its position as the top short track nation globally. In the 2024-25 World Tour, Canadian athletes claimed an impressive 37 medals, including 21 golds, winning the prestigious team Crystal Globe trophy.
- At the world championships in Beijing, Canada won six out of nine events and added four silver medals, totaling ten medals.
- No other country achieved more than four overall medals.
Dominance in the Current Season
In the current season, Canada continued to showcase its strength by sweeping the three World Tour Crystal Globes. Will Dandjinou repeated as the men’s overall champion, and Courtney Sarault claimed her first women’s title. The team also secured a consecutive team title.
With only four stops on the tour this season, Canada amassed a leading total of 31 medals and 15 golds, far surpassing second-place South Korea, which had 21 medals and nine golds.
Top Athletes to Watch
Looking ahead to the Milano-Cortina Olympics, stars like Dandjinou, aged 24, and Sarault, 25, are among the top contenders. Dandjinou aims to make an impact after missing the Olympic team in 2022. He is now a favorite in multiple events.
- Dandjinou won three gold medals in the last world championships, including the 1,500m event.
- Sarault aims for her first Olympic medals, having secured multiple podium finishes in previous world championships.
Another notable athlete is Steven Dubois, who clinched four golds at the 2025 world championships. Dubois also earned medals in all colors at the 2022 Olympics, including a gold in the men’s relay.
Upcoming Competitions
Short track events commence on Tuesday in Milan, starting with the women’s 500m qualifying heats at 4:30 a.m. ET. The men’s 1,000m heats follow at 5:10 a.m. ET. The mixed relay, featuring teams of two men and two women racing over 2,000 meters, is one of Canada’s potential medal opportunities.
- The mixed relay starts quarterfinals at 5:59 a.m. ET, with semifinals at 6:34 a.m. ET.
- The medal race occurs at 7:10 a.m. ET.
Canada holds a strong chance for a medal in the mixed relay, competing against strong teams from the Netherlands and South Korea, who have previously dominated the sport.
Other Events to Watch
Aside from the short track competitions, several other events will capture attention on Tuesday:
- Freestyle skiing featuring Mikaël Kingsbury in moguls qualifying.
- Mixed doubles curling match between Sweden and the United States for the gold medal.
- Men’s figure skating short program highlighting American star Ilia Malinin.
- Women’s hockey clash between Canada and the United States.
As the Olympics unfold, Canadian athletes continue to display their prowess in winter sports. With a rich legacy and promising talent, all eyes are on Canada for their performance in the games ahead.
