Gender Equality Milestone: More Women Than Men to Represent Team Canada at Milano Cortina

TORONTO — In a historic shift for Canadian sports, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) officially unveiled its 207-athlete roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, marking the first time in the country’s Winter Olympic history that female athletes outnumber their male counterparts. The squad consists of 108 women and 99 men, a landmark achievement that reflects years of targeted investment and the rising dominance of Canadian women on the global winter sports stage. The announcement, made on Thursday, sets a powerful tone for the delegation as they prepare to head to Italy for the February 6–22 Games.

The 108 female athletes will compete in 14 of the 16 disciplines on the Olympic program, led by legendary figures and a promising new generation of talent. Jennifer Heil, the 2006 Olympic moguls champion and Team Canada’s Chef de Mission, described the gender split as a proud moment for the nation. “At the Olympic Games, the world doesn’t just see what athletes can do, it sees what a country is made of,” Heil stated. “This team brings heart and pride, grounded in respect, and seeing our women lead the way in numbers is a testament to the strength of our provincial and national sport programs.”

Veterans at the Helm: Poulin and Maltais Chase Fifth Games

The Canadian women’s contingent is anchored by some of the most decorated veterans in Winter Olympic history.Highlighting the roster is “Captain Canada” herself, Marie-Philip Poulin, who is set to compete in her fifth Olympic Games. Poulin, who has scored game-winning goals in three separate Olympic finals, will lead the women’s hockey team in their quest to defend their gold medal from Beijing. She is joined by long-track speed skater Valérie Maltais, who is also entering her fifth Games, further solidifying the team’s experienced leadership core.

These veterans provide a vital support system for the 109 Olympic rookies on the team, many of whom are young women making their debut at age 18 or 19. The mix of seasoned champions and fresh faces is a strategic advantage for Canada, as the veterans help navigate the high-pressure environment of the Olympic Village while the rookies bring high-octane energy. The COC noted that the sheer depth of talent in women’s hockey, curling, and freestyle skiing was a primary driver in the historic gender balance of the 2026 squad.

Rookies and Records: From Teenagers to Trailblazers

Among the 108 women heading to Milano Cortina, 18-year-old snowboarder Felicity Geremia stands out as one of the youngest members of the delegation. On the other end of the spectrum, 42-year-old figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek is set to become the oldest female figure skater to compete at a Winter Olympics in nearly a century. Her journey to the Games, alongside partner Maxime Deschamps, has captivated the Canadian public, proving that the team’s “new ground” isn’t just about gender, but also about breaking age-related barriers in sport.

The rookie class also includes standout performers like skeleton world champion Hallie Clarke, who at 21 is already a gold-medal favorite. The influx of young female talent in high-speed disciplines like skeleton and luge highlights the successful recruitment efforts of National Sport Organizations over the last quadrennial. With more women than men on the team, the narrative of the 2026 Games is increasingly focused on the longevity and diversity of the female athletic career in Canada.

Flag-Bearers and Family Ties: The Thompson and Kingsbury Era

The honor of leading Team Canada into the Opening Ceremony on February 6 falls to two iconic winter athletes: ski cross star Marielle Thompson and moguls legend Mikaël Kingsbury. Thompson, a three-time Olympic medalist, represents the pinnacle of Canadian women’s dominance in freestyle skiing. Her selection as flag-bearer is a symbolic nod to the record-breaking number of women on the team. Alongside Kingsbury, Thompson will lead a delegation that features a unique array of family connections, including four sets of siblings and eight children of former Olympians.

Among these family storylines is the Schmidt siblings, Hannah and Jared, who will both compete in ski cross, and the Drolet siblings in cross-country skiing. The presence of these family units underscores the community-driven nature of Canadian winter sports. The COC emphasized that these personal stories of sacrifice and shared dreams are what make the Olympic team a true reflection of Canadian society, with athletes hailing from eight provinces and one territory.

Multi-Sport Marvels: Kelsey Mitchell’s Dual-Season Feat

One of the most intriguing additions to the women’s roster is Kelsey Mitchell, who is set to become Canada’s latest dual-season Olympian. Mitchell, an Olympic gold medalist in track cycling at the Tokyo 2020 Games, has successfully transitioned her explosive power to the bobsleigh track. Her inclusion on the Milano Cortina team adds another layer of versatility to the female contingent. Mitchell follows in the footsteps of legendary Canadian athletes like Clara Hughes, further proving the incredible athletic range of the women in this delegation.

Mitchell’s transition from the velodrome to the ice track has been one of the most-watched storylines in the lead-up to the Games. Her ability to qualify for a Winter Olympics after reaching the pinnacle of a summer sport is a rare feat that has inspired her teammates. “Kelsey brings a unique championship pedigree to the bobsleigh team,” a COC spokesperson noted. “Her presence is a reminder that Canadian athletes are among the most versatile and resilient in the world.”

The Global Context: Milano Cortina as a Gender-Balanced Games

The historic split of 108 women to 99 men aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) goal of making Milano Cortina 2026 the most “gender-balanced” Winter Games in history. Globally, women are expected to make up approximately 47% of the total athlete population in Italy. Canada’s decision to exceed the 50% mark for female representation is a bold statement of the country’s commitment to gender equity in sport. The team will be supported by a massive mission staff of 231 coaches and NSO officials, many of whom have also been part of the long-term push for parity.

As the team prepares for the final week of training before the February 6 Opening Ceremony, the focus is squarely on performance. With 47 Olympic medalists on the roster, expectations are high for a top-three finish in the overall medal table. However, regardless of the final count, Canada has already won a significant victory for representation. For the first time, when the maple leaf enters the stadium in Milan, the women will lead the way not just in talent, but in numbers.