Canada’s Madeline Schizas Secures University Extension During Olympics

Madeline Schizas, a Canadian figure skater, made headlines during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics due to her unique approach to managing academic responsibilities. The McMaster University student requested an extension for a sociology assignment after her participation in the Games, successfully highlighting the challenges faced by student-athletes.

Request for Extension During Olympic Competition

On Saturday, shortly after competing in the women’s team event short program, Schizas reached out to her professor via email. She clarified that she mistakenly thought her assignment was due on Sunday instead of Friday. In her email, she stated:

• “Wondering if I could get a short extension on this week’s reflection.”
• “I was competing in the Olympic Games yesterday.”

Schizas shared a screenshot of her email on Instagram, linking to the Canadian Olympic Committee’s press release to confirm her participation in the Olympics. Her post quickly gained traction among her nearly 40,000 followers.

Performance Highlights

In the women’s figure skating team event, Schizas scored 64.97 points. Canada ended the day in fifth place after her performance. She humorously commented on her Instagram about the extension, saying:

• “Since it seems everyone was quite invested, I did get my extension lol.”
• “I can’t believe anyone cared so much.”

Her sense of humor and relatability have resonated with fans and followers, demonstrating the dual pressures of competition and academic life.

Academic Pursuits amid Athletic Success

Schizas is set to graduate in May, majoring in Environment and Society. She likens this field of study to environmental studies. Balancing her studies with rigorous training and competition schedules exemplifies the dedication required from elite student-athletes.

This incident not only underscores Schizas’s impressive time management skills but also highlights the support student-athletes can receive from educational institutions during significant events like the Olympics.