KEY POINTS
- World champion Deanna Stellato-Dudek has withdrawn from the Olympic team figure skating event following a training injury in Quebec.
- The 42-year-old skater remains under daily medical evaluation to determine her fitness for the individual pairs competition.
- Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud will step in to represent Team Canada in the team segment starting this Friday.
The highly anticipated Olympic debut of Canadian figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek faces a sudden and significant hurdle. On Monday, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced that Stellato-Dudek and her partner, Maxime Deschamps, will miss the upcoming team event. This decision follows an injury she sustained during a recent training session in Quebec. The news comes as a blow to a skater whose career revival has inspired many worldwide.
At 42, Stellato-Dudek is currently the oldest female world champion in the history of figure skating. Her journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Games represents a remarkable comeback after sixteen years away from the ice. She and Deschamps were expected to be key contributors to Canada’s podium hopes in the team competition. However, medical officials have prioritized her long-term health and safety following the practice mishap.
While the team event is now out of reach, hope remains for the individual pairs competition. That segment of the Games does not begin until February 15. The Canadian Olympic Committee stated that her condition is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. If she recovers in time, she could still make her historic debut on the Olympic stage later this month. For now, the pair remains in Canada to focus on her rehabilitation.
In their absence, the Canadian pair of Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud will take over team duties. This substitution ensures that Team Canada maintains a full roster for the three-day event starting this Friday. Canada finished fourth in the team event during the previous Winter Games in Beijing. The national federation is eager to secure a medal this year despite this unexpected roster change.
The skating community is closely watching Stellato-Dudek’s recovery process. Her absence from the team event is a major loss for the sport’s opening week. If she cannot compete in the individual event, alternates Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Éthier are ready to step in. A final decision regarding her participation must be made by the official draw on February 13. Fans and teammates alike remain optimistic about her chances for a swift return.
