The Canadian short track speed skating team, a formidable force in the global arena, is preparing to make a bold statement at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games in February. With a goal to break their previous record and secure more medals than ever before, the team is ready to showcase their expertise and prowess on the ice.

Set for a Record-Breaking Performance

The Canadian team is headed by Marc Gagnon, a coach renowned for his experience and expertise in the sport. Gagnon believes that the team’s ambitious goal is achievable, given the exceptional talent in the current roster. The team bagged 31 medals, including 15 golds, at the World Tour stops this season. They also brought home the ISU Team Crystal Globe for the second time and won 10 medals at the World Championships last season – Canada’s best showing since 1996.

Ready for the Challenge

Gagnon has set a target for the team to secure seven podium finishes at the upcoming Olympics. This would surpass the six they won at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The coach, who was an athlete at the time, won three of those medals, including as part of the men’s relay. The team has secured the maximum number of competitive spots – five men and five women, plus four alternates, due to its competitive success on the World Tour.

The Team to Watch

Among the roster is William Dandjinou, the top-ranked skater in the men’s World Tour short track standings and a two-time winner of the individual ISU Crystal Globe. The 24-year-old, who has been a member of the national team since 2019, is thrilled to be participating in his first Olympic Games. Dandjinou attributes the team’s strength to its depth of talent and the ability to work and grow together.

Women’s Side Shining Bright

The women’s team is equally formidable. Courtney Sarault, who won the ISU Crystal Globe as the top woman overall during the 2025-26 season, will be returning to the Games. Sarault believes her understanding of what she needs heading into a competition has improved since her last Olympics. She also feels more prepared and confident, having already experienced the intensity of the Games. The short track roster also includes four-time Olympic medalist Kim Boutin and three-time Olympic medalist Steven Dubois.

Team Canada Short Track Roster

The rest of the Team Canada short track roster is made up of Danaé Blais, Florence Brunelle, Rikki Doak, Maxime Laoun, Jordan Pierre-Gilles, and Félix Roussel. As the Speed Skating Canada’s director of high performance, Marc Schryburt, aptly put it, “On this team, we do not race to participate. We race to win with a smile, as a team together.”

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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