By: Debbi Wilkes

If his decision had been different, Stephen Gogolev might have pursued downhill alpine skiing instead of figure skating.

“Funny story,” says Stephen, newly-crowned Canadian Men’s Champion.

“I skied before I skated and was actually pretty good for my age,” Stephen remembers. But once he was introduced to skating, it didn’t take long for the ice to win out over the snow. “By comparison, in skiing races, I would always finish top 2 … but in my early skating competitions, I was either last or second last.”

When the time came for Stephen to choose between sports, his decision wasn’t based on his success or failure.

Photo Credit: Golden Skate

“There was something special about skating,” says Stephen. “In skiing, your goal is simple … you win if you’re fastest down the hill … but in skating, you can certainly go fast but you can also JUMP. That’s what interested me at first … and then I also began to discover that you have this enormous freedom to do almost anything out on the ice.”

Like all of Stephen’s choices since, his family has always offered their support and encouragement. “I don’t think they were looking for anything special. They just wanted me to pick something I could be interested in.”

Mom and Dad, Irina and Igor, enjoyed sports recreationally but were never heavily invested. “We’ve always been a pretty active family,” admits Stephen. In fact, skating was already on the family’s radar when Stephen’s older brother Peter took skating lessons as a youngster.

“I was born here in Toronto and spent most of my childhood here,” says Stephen, “although until I was about 8, my family would go back and forth to Russia where my parents were from.”

It was actually in Russia in the village of Ekaterinburg where Stephen first stepped on the ice. “I was maybe 5 or 6.”

In the following years in Toronto, as Stephen’s interest grew, he found himself surrounded by skating history, past and present. While training at the legendary Granite Club, he was often inspired by those around him and especially by the stories his parents told of seeing champions like Patrick Chan. “That really sparked my interest!”

The path to success since then has been anything but easy for Stephen. Growth spurts, health issues and injuries have dogged his progress. “I couldn’t train 100% for an extended period of time … so going into competitions I wasn’t feeling that important competitive drive that gave me confidence.”

How did he keep going?

“I guess the internal feeling was I just tried to be the best I could be at that moment … to make the most out of the situation.”

And now with a healthy year under his belt, Stephen has proven to himself that he can be much more competitive. “Since I’ve been injury free this whole season … with no major issues … I’m feeling more confident to compete the way I want to. The work that I put in over those tough years is actually paying off.”

Stephen admits to being more motivated than ever.

Part of rediscovering his motivation and competitive drive is due to the support of his team, Coaches Lee Barkell and Benoit Richaud, and to the tremendous work delivered by the Canadian Sport Institute. “I looked at this year as possibly my last try to get everything correct and in order,” says Stephen, “and thanks to CSI … Physiotherapist Meghan Buttle and Physical Trainer Chris Cooper, in particular … I’ve been injury free!”

And speaking of motivation, there’s this little thing coming up called the Olympic Winter Games. Competing in them is a goal Stephen has kept tucked in a back corner of his mind since childhood.

“I think it’s every athlete’s dream to be on the Olympic stage,” Stephen claims. And now as Canadian Champion and Canada’s lone entry in the Men’s event, the game is on.

How will he handle the pressure-cooker situation?

“Once I get to Cortina, I’ll definitely get the nerves,” Stephen admits. “But I also think if a person isn’t nervous for any competition, especially the Olympic Games, there must be something wrong!”

Stephen’s Olympic dream will finally be realized. He’s excited for all that’s ahead … Team competition, the Opening Ceremonies and his individual event … and participating as a member of Team Canada.

“To be honest, the lead-up to the Olympics feels much, much different from other regular competitions.

“It almost feels like it’s going to be a celebration!”