By: Valya Roberts

Skate Ontario is enormously proud of the Ontario Olympians representing Canada, some of them for multiple Olympics. Piper Gilles has represented Canada in Ice Dance with her partner Paul Poirier at the last two Olympics, and they hope to attend a third Olympics in Italy at Milano-Cortina 2026.

In chatting with Piper about what makes an Olympics special, amongst the many things she talked about, she referenced the friendships that are made with other Olympians. Not just casual acquaintances, but bonding and creating lifelong friendships.

What many people may not realize is that once team Canada is in the Olympic Village, they make friendships with their fellow athletes. At her first Olympics in 2018, Piper and her ice dance partner Paul Poirier had the opportunity to stay for two weeks after they competed so they could cheer on their fellow athletes. “We got to cheer on athletes for two weeks, so we had a great opportunity to meet other athletes from other sports and developed relationships that have continued”, Piper said. However, this changed in Beijing in 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes only had 48 hours to leave after their event ended.

Piper shared that the friendships she has developed over the past Olympics have created very special bonds. “It is such a unique friendship with other Olympians and it’s a friendship that lasts forever, little messages from them goes a long way to feel supported and knowing you have that connection for life”, she said.

Olympians like Cassie Sharp, who won gold for Canada in PyeongChang 2018 in freestyle skiing, and Ivanie Blondin, who has won multiple Olympic and international medals in long track speed skating, are just two of the lifelong friendships she has made.

According to Piper, she can sometimes not talk or see them for months on end, but sometimes when she needs it most she will get a little message or chat about what is happening in their lives as they all get older, getting married and buying houses and balancing their life with their athletic pursuits, “an Olympic friendship is unique it lasts forever, little messages from them go along way as they know my struggles, challenges and successes and can relate so the connection is for life”.

One way the fellow Olympians stay in touch is through social media, particularly Instagram. Piper has a very entertaining Instagram, @pipergilles. She often features fellow Olympian Ivanie Blondin @ivanieblondin, sharing dances and updates and daily training videos as well.

So, if you are heading to the Olympics for the first time, reach out to your fellow athletes as they know what you are feeling and can provide great support. For the rest of us, we can look forward to following the adventures of our Ontario athletes at the next Olympics on social media.