Ottawa-Gatineau Athletes Compete in the Olympics
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics are poised to showcase a remarkable lineup of athletes from Ottawa-Gatineau. As the world gears up for the Winter Games, local athletes are ready to make their mark across various sports disciplines.
Local Athletes Competing in Milano Cortina 2026
Dozens of athletes from the Ottawa-Gatineau region will represent Canada and other nations at the Winter Games. Here is a breakdown of the athletes to watch during the competition.
Speed Skating
- Ivanie Blondin – Competing in the 3,000-metre event.
- Isabelle Weidemann – Joining Blondin in the 3,000-metre.
- Justin Brunet – Making his Olympic debut in the 500-metre race.
Coverage of the events will be provided by CBC’s Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco, who has gained insights into speed skating from the Gloucester Concordes.
Alpine Skiing
- Valerie Grenier – Competing for Canada on February 20 and 21 in ski cross.
- Jared and Hannah Schmidt – This sibling duo will also represent Team Canada.
Biathlon
Ottawa athletes Megan Connelly and Alex Rousseau will team up for the 4×6 kilometre mixed relay on February 8.
Bobsleigh
- Mike Evelyn O’Higgins – Former Carleton University player, competing in both two-man and four-man bobsleigh.
- Jay Dearborn – Also in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh events.
- Keaton Bruggeling – Competing in the four-man bobsleigh, in addition to his football background.
Bruggeling will join his teammates for the four-man event on February 21 and 22.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cathy Stewart-Jones and Alex Cyr will represent Canada at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, starting with the skiathlon events.
Curling
Rachel Homan and her team will compete for gold at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. After previous close calls, Homan hopes to finally clinch her Olympic medal.
Figure Skating
From eastern Ontario, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are considered strong medal contenders in the figure skating events.
Ice Hockey
This year’s Olympics will feature players from both the Ottawa Charge and Ottawa Senators. Notable athletes include:
- Brianne Jenner – Captain of the Ottawa Charge for Team Canada.
- Gwyneth Philips – Representing Canada as a goalie.
- Brady Tkachuk – A forward for Team USA.
On the international front, several Ottawa players will compete for other countries, including:
- Jason Seed – Playing for Italy.
- Mads Søgaard and Lars Eller – Representing Denmark.
- Tim Stützle – The only Senator on Germany’s roster.
The women’s tournament kicks off Thursday, followed by the men’s tournament beginning on February 11.
Officials & Support Crew
Jean “Rocky” Lamontagne from the Ottawa Pacers will serve as the chief starter for the men’s short track speed skating events.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics approach, excitement builds for the athletes from Ottawa-Gatineau. Fans anticipate remarkable performances and unforgettable moments on the world stage.
