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In exactly 100 days from Wednesday, the 2026 Winter Olympics will kick off in northern Italy with the opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan.
Here are ten Canadian athletes to keep an eye on as they participate in global tours and prepare for the Olympic medal chase this February.
Notable Canadian Athletes:
Will Dandjinou (short track speed skating): Canada dominated the short track scene last season, securing 37 medals, including 21 golds, across six World Tour stops and clinching the team title. Dandjinou, standing at six-foot-three, emerged as a top performer, winning eight individual races in the World Tour, claiming his first overall title, and securing four medals at the world championships, including a gold in the 1,500 meters. As he gears up for his Olympic debut, Dandjinou has continued his success by winning four of his six solo events this season.
The 6’3″ reigning short track crystal globe champion from Montreal hopes to leverage his size, in order to reach the Olympic podium in 2026.
Rachel Homan (curling): Despite past Olympic disappointments, Homan’s team is favored for the women’s gold in Milan after securing consecutive world championships in 2024 and 2025. The team has been dominant, winning over 90% of their games last season and claiming both Grand Slam titles this season.
While they still need to triumph at the Canadian Olympic trials, Homan’s team has shown consistent success, going undefeated in the last two Scotties and maintaining an undefeated streak against Canadian opponents for over a year.
Connor McDavid (hockey): McDavid, a decorated player with numerous accolades, looks to add an Olympic gold to his impressive resume. With NHL players returning to the Games after several years, McDavid aims to make his mark, especially after leading Canada to victory against the U.S. in a recent tournament.
