The 2026 Olympic Games are officially underway in Milan and Cortina, with the best athletes from around the world competing on the global stage. As one of the few sporting events that have the power to unite an entire country, the Olympics provide Canadians with an opportunity to come together as a nation and cheer on our fellow countrymen and countrywomen.
The Winter Games are especially meaningful for the Great White North, given our country’s strong connection to winter sports and outdoor culture. Every four years, Canadians from coast to coast tune in together, creating a shared national moment that cuts across every province, background and age group. From bobsleigh and figure skating to alpine skiing and curling, Canada takes great pride in its winter sports at every level.
The Olympics showcase a number of sports that rarely receive mainstream attention, giving fans the chance to witness events that they might not otherwise watch. This also introduces Canadians to countless athletes, all of whom have trained and perfected their craft for years for this exact moment.
With the 2026 Winter Games already in full swing, we’ve put together a list of five Canadian Olympians to keep your eyes on over the next few weeks. Rather than focusing on household names like Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby, this list highlights Canadian athletes who are flying under the radar but well positioned to compete for a medal in Italy.
Here are 5 Canadians to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Mikaël Kingsbury — Freestyle Skiing (Moguls)
As one of Canada’s most decorated Winter Olympians, Kingsbury has been on this stage before. A veteran in moguls skiing, he’s medaled in three consecutive Olympic Games, including a gold medal in PyeongChang in 2018. With his experience and consistency in this event, Kingsbury is one of Canada’s biggest medal hopes outside of ice hockey.
The Deux-Montagnes, Quebec native has been a dominant force on the World Cup circuit, making him a strong favourite to reach the podium once again in Italy. He’s already breezed through the qualifying stage and, barring any surprise setbacks, should be one of the favourites during the medal round.
Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier — Ice Dance
This is a two-for-one scenario, as Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier represent Canada’s top ice dance duo heading into Milan and Cortina. This Olympic event is particularly competitive, but this pair remains one of the clear frontrunners at this year’s Games. With great technical precision and strong choreography, their on-ice routine is as impressive as it is breathtaking.
Hailing from Toronto and Unionville, Ontario, respectively, Piper and Paul have been long-time partners on the international circuit. They’ve won multiple World Championship medals, including back-to-back silver medals in 2024 and 2025. As long as they maintain their technical consistency and artistic presentation, they should be in the mix for Canada.
William Dandjinou — Short Track Speed Skating
He may be entering the 2026 Games as a first-time Olympian, but William Dandjinou is already ranked among the best speed skaters in the world. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and based in Montreal, Dandjinou has been a part of Canada’s national short track team since 2019. Having steadily risen through the ranks over years, this year’s Games provide him with the biggest opportunity of his athletic career.
Dandjinou is new to Olympic competition, but don’t get the wrong idea; he’s already picked up plenty of hardware. He’s earned the Crystal Globe as the ISU circuit’s overall season champion, and also captured a world title for the 1000m in 2024. More recently, he won gold in the 1500m at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Championships, putting him in a prime spot to contend at the 2026 Winter Games.
Éliot Grondin — Snowboard Cross
Coming out of Sainte-Marie, Quebec, Grondin made his Olympic debut at just 16 years old back in the 2018 Winter Games. Since then, he’s quietly developed into one of the world’s elite snowboard cross competitors, known for his explosive starts and strong positioning through the course’s technical features.
The Canadian Olympian picked up a silver medal in this event at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, so he’s already proven capable of getting the job done for his country. He’s been dominating the World Cup circuit with back-to-back Crystal Globes as the overall season champion, and recently won gold at the 2025 FIS Snowboard World Championships. Representing the next generation of great Canadian snowboarders, Grondin has a chance to make his mark in Italy.
Rachel Homan — Curling
Few sports feel as Canadian as curling, so there’s a lot of pressure on Ottawa’s Rachel Homan to deliver for her country in Milan and Cortina. A three-time World Women’s Curling Champion (including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025), Homan owns the record for most Grand Slam of Curling titles by any skip and is one of our country’s most accomplished curlers.
Historically, Canada is the most successful nation in Olympic curling history, with the sport deeply embedded in Canadian culture. Homan is the perfect athlete to represent our country’s curling tradition, and a strong performance in Italy would further cement her legacy as one of Canada’s all-time great curling skips.