By: Pj Kwong

Skate Ontario skaters captured all four figure skating titles at the recent Canadian National Figure Skating Championships in Gatineau, PQ, and, as a result, will have representation in all disciplines, including the Team event presumably. This is an enviable spot to be in, where the powerhouse that is figure skating in Ontario tells the tale. Of the twenty-nine figure skating discipline medals that have been won, individual Ontario skaters/teams have earned the vast majority. One word: #SkateOntarioProud.

Ontario athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games:

Women: Madeline Schizas                                Coach: Nancy Lemaire

Men: Stephen Gogolev                                        Coach: Lee Barkell

Pair: Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud             Coach: Alison Purkiss

Ice Dance: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier      Coach: Carol Lane/Juris Razgulajevs

“Having athletes represent Ontario in all four figure skating disciplines at the Olympic Games is an incredible point of pride for us,” said Lisa Alexander, Executive Director of Skate Ontario. “It speaks to the depth of talent across the province and to the coaches, clubs, families, and communities who have helped these skaters grow and thrive on the sport’s biggest stage.”

The focus is definitely on the athletes; however, the role of the coaches cannot be underestimated as they are there every step of the way. From Lee Barkell’s point of view, the ongoing preparation by Stephen Gogolev, has been like this: “We have maintained our consistent training plan as it has been all year, with an emphasis on quality vs quantity and reinforcing proper rest and recovery heading into the Games.”

Carol Lane commented: ““There is nothing new to report in terms of training as everything has been continuing to evolve, develop and improve as it has since the Grand Prix Final. We are ready!”

There is something else though. Once their names are called, the skaters head to their opening position with all of their focus on what they need to do during their skate. Coaches are in a different state of mind. Lee remarked, “It is like being in a bubble – unaware of your surroundings and completely focused and in tune with your athlete’s performance, with feelings of pressure and pride.”

Carol Lane will be watching ice dance and doing commentary for CBC from Toronto while staying connected with co-coach Juris and Piper and Paul by phone and video chat. Regardless, she offered this perspective of being at the boards during a skate at an event: “Watching from the boards for me at any competition is like being in a ‘fugue state’ where noise fades and time stands still and every edge, breath, and heartbeat feels shared,” said Carol. “As a coach with Olympic athletes, you’re not thinking about medals; you’re living every moment with your skaters and trusting the years of work to carry them across the ice.”

Another Ontario figure skating icon will be on hand for CBC during the Games. Having been an Olympic Gold medal choreographer, Sandra Bezic was also a five-time Canadian Pair champion and Olympian with her brother Val Bezic. So, it begs the question how much does that experience get reflected in how she feels as she watches skaters take the ice at the Games? “I rarely think of my own competitive career, but this time the pairs skate their short program for the Team Event on February 6th, which is the anniversary of Val’s and my short program in Sapporo ’72,” said Sandra.  “So, I do find myself reflecting about it all and scrolling through a few photos. This is my 10th Olympics in one capacity or another. All these cherished experiences are infused into my being, and I’m pretty certain they can’t help but be reflected in my commentary. I’m so grateful and excited to be in the CBC booth this season.”

Fifty years ago, Toller Cranston won Olympic Bronze in Innsbruck, while 20 years ago Jeffrey Buttle won Olympic Bronze in Torino, Italy just down the road from the 2026 venue in Milan.

Sandra and Val Bezic, 1972 in Sapporo

Here are the Olympic Figure Skating Medallists from Ontario:

Olympic Figure Skating Medallists from Ontario

That’s what an outstanding legacy looks like.

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