Canada’s Olympic athletes arrived back in their homeland on Monday to a warm welcome from friends, family, and fans following their participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
At Toronto Pearson airport, a small group of about a dozen supporters gathered to greet the returning athletes. Some proudly waved Canadian flags, while others seized the opportunity to take selfies with the athletes and request autographs.
Expressing his joy at being back home after a month-long journey, Brett Gallant, a gold medalist in curling as part of Brad Jacobs’ Calgary-based team, shared his sentiments on the red carpet. He expressed his excitement about feeling the Canadian pride and the immense support they received from afar, now culminating in a warm homecoming.
Reflecting on the thrilling moments of the Olympics, Gallant mentioned the surge of excitement felt by Canadians during key events like the curling and hockey medal rounds. Despite acknowledging the increasing competitiveness in international curling, he expressed pride in the team’s achievements.
The conclusion of the Games saw the extinguishing of the twin flames in the co-host cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo during a closing ceremony held in the historic Verona Arena. The Canadian Olympic Committee reported that around 90 out of the 207 Canadian athletes present in Milan Cortina participated in the ceremony.
While the men’s hockey team settled for silver after a close 2-1 defeat to the United States in the gold medal match, Canada wrapped up the Games with a total of 21 medals, including five golds.
Cynthia Appiah, a member of Canada’s bobsleigh team, highlighted the challenges faced by the team on the international stage due to limited investment and outdated equipment. She emphasized the need for critical investments in the program and sled technology to enhance competitiveness.
Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the Canadian athletes, commending their dedication and resilience throughout the Games. Notable flag-bearers for Team Canada included speedskaters Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois during the closing ceremony.
Beginning with freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury’s victory in dual moguls, Canada’s medal count saw a significant surge in the latter half of the Games, culminating in a total of 21 medals. The Canadian contingent secured gold medals in various events, including men’s curling, freeski big air, short-track speed skating, and long-track team pursuit.
This remarkable display of sportsmanship and achievement at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics left a lasting impression on Canadians, who celebrated the team’s success with pride and admiration.