By: Dylan Nazareth

It’s been nearly four years since Maddie Schizas and coach Nancy Lemaire made their Olympic debut in Beijing at a COVID-skewed Games, and what a difference the time makes.

Where four years ago an eighteen-year-old Schizas hit the Olympic ice as an underdog in an empty arena, this year the now-seasoned international skater comes in with maturity and experience, but also increased expectations. Facing that pressure is nothing new for Schizas and her coach, who spoke about the place the 22-year-old has carved in international skating since Beijing.

Madeline Schizas in Beijing. 

“I’ve learned a lot through the Grand Prix series and challengers about being more comfortable in the environment of the higher level skaters, and getting Maddie to see that she belongs in that space,” Lemaire said, speaking at Skate Canada High Performance Camp in August. “At that first Olympics, everything was new, so we were lucky that there were no expectations really on her. This time there will be, and our main goal is to have her feel like she belongs there and feels comfortable in that space.”

Schizas hasn’t officially booked her ticket to Milan 2026, but the reigning Canadian champion is considered the front-runner for Canada’s sole spot in women’s singles after representing the country at the last five World Championships and the 2022 Games. Her coach says they are excited for the opportunity to compete at the marquee event once again now that things are back to normal.

“Certainly the last Olympic season, we really didn’t know that it was even gonna happen because of COVID,” she said. “This time, I think our eyes are much more wide open to the experience, and the fact that there will be a very large crowd.”

Lemaire added that she’s never been to Milan, and without the quarantine system of the last Games, there’s also the opportunity to take advantage of the break between the team and individual skates to take a short trip elsewhere in Europe, so they can come at both events with a fresh headspace. Of course, there’s a lot of work to be done before that to ensure her and Schizas will be able to make those travel plans this February.

After years as one of Canada’s most prominent women’s figure skaters, Schizas has grown accustomed to pushing herself through long seasons of competitions and travel. Bringing that experience this year, Lemaire speaks to the ways she’s seen Schizas mature on and off the ice.

“As a skater, I think she’s finding the skills easier for her to do, easier for her to perform in front of people. Maturity wise, I love to see that confidence in her,” she said. “As a person off the ice, it’s nice to see her develop as a leader within the dressing room. On the ice with the other kids, coming and watching them skate when we have events. She will stay to watch, give them tips or compliments or encouragement, which they really take to heart because they look up to her. I think she’s taking on this position of being a leader much more.”

Schizas’ leadership off the ice is especially helpful in an Olympic year, where Lemaire faces the challenge of managing skaters competing at many different levels. While she concedes it can be difficult, she says the key to success is creating a positive, team mentality at her home club in Milton.

Nancy and Madeline in Beijing.

“That is for sure a challenge, to keep everybody in the rink sort of on a different schedule and excited each week when they come in about the amount of work that they need to do,” said Lemaire. “I think celebrating everybody’s little successes is really important. If this is the week for a provincial series event, that’s the big item in the rink. And if this is the week that Maddie’s going to Japan, that’s the big item.”

She added that she has a group chat with all her skaters where they post competition results and progress videos, recognizing achievements big and small for everyone under her. If all goes according to plan, Lemaire and Schizas will have some great clips to send from Milan to Milton this February.