Canadian athletes prepare for Olympic spotlight as Milan hosts historic Games

George Le Gresley

Sports Correspondent

This is the first time Milan has hosted the Winter Olympics, hosting all arena events, including hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating, and the opening and closing ceremonies. The remaining events will take place in Cortina, about 400 kilometers north.

Events take place between Feb 4 - 22, with the Opening Ceremonies on February 6 starting at 1:30 PM EST. The opening ceremony will feature performances by Mariah Carey, tenor Andrea Bocelli, and, of course, the athletes representing the competing countries. Mikael Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson, both 33, are Canada’s flag bearers and, for both athletes, their fourth Winter Olympic Games.  Mikael, a mogul skier, has had a successful career with over 100 World Cup wins and three Olympic medals. Meanwhile, Marielle, a ski cross racer, has won Olympic Gold in 2018 and a silver medal in 2022.

There are plenty of opportunities to watch these games on CBC, CBC News Network, Sportsnet and TSN in Canada. For those who don’t subscribe to any of these networks, the best way to view events live or taped is to download the free CBC Gem App on a “Smart TV”, or your mobile device or tablet. CBC Gem is free to use and offers a variety of CBC programming.

Here's this week's schedule, with the events in Bold and the Canadian athletes in Italics.

Wednesday February 5

As usual, there are sporting events that begin before the Olympic Games' official opening, and Mixed Doubles Curling begins its round-robin competition. Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant represent Canada. These two Albertans have had success in this event, both on the international and national stages and have a great chance to medal. Their first game will be against Czechia.

The Women’s Hockey tournament kicks off, with the Canadian side, who are always in the mix for medals at this event, facing Finland at approximately 9 AM.

Snowboarding also begins this day, and Olympic medalists from Canada Eliot Grondin and Meryeta O’Dine will lead the way. Be sure to watch out for the Half Pipe event, where Canadian Felicity Geremia will contend for Gold in this event.

Friday February 6

The Opening Ceremony is today, and the Figure Skating events begin. Canada has 12 men and women competing in Figure Skating, most notably Piper Giles and Paul Poirier in Ice Dance. Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps have medalled in two international events and could be on the podium.

Saturday February 7

The Men’s Downhill Ski race and medal presentation will occur. Cameron Alexander, who will be competing at his first Olympic games, has had a breakout year on the World Cup circuit, stepping on the podium five times this season.

The Women’s 10 KM + 10 KM Skiathlon includes Medal presentations.

The Women’s 3000 m Speedskating race and medal presentation occur. Look out for Valerie Maltais, a recent Bronze Medal winner at her sport’s last World Cup event.

The Men’s Singles Luge race, where speeds of up to 140 km per hour are reached, will feature Canada’s very young team competing in this event.

Women’s Ski Jumping kicks off today, and Abigail Strate, who has had success this past year, might make it to the podium.

Canada’s Mixed Curling side takes on Estonia.

At the ski hill, the Men’s Big Air competition and medal presentation. Watch for Eli Bouchard, who has had success at the Junior Olympic level, to take a run at the podium.The Canadian Women’s Hockey team takes on Switzerland.

Sunday February 8

The Women’s Downhill Ski Race and medal presentation. Although a favourite, American Lindsey Vonn, who came out of retirement this year and dominated in World Cup Races, was recently injured in her knee in a crash, her team claims that she’ll be ready for her runs today.

The Men’s 10 Km + 10 km Skiathlon race and medal presentation. This event is a cross-country ski event with two styles: traditional and skating.

The Mixed 4 X 6 km Biathlon race and Medal presentation take place.

The Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom race and Medal Presentation. Racers are placed on a playoff-style bracket, where two competitors snowboard down identical slalom tracks, with the first to finish advancing and the loser eliminated.

The Canadian Mixed Curling Team takes on Korea.

The Men’s 5000 m Skate Race and medal presentation occur. Watch to see if veteran Ted-Jan Bloeman, who won silver at the Olympics in 2024, can medal this year.

Monday February 9

Canada’s Mixed Curling Doubles team plays Switzerland.

Women’s Freeski Slopestyle Race. The course is a downhill skatepark race, featuring obstacles like jumps and rails.

Men’s Team Combined Slalom race and medal presentation.

Women’s 1000 m Speed Skating race and medal presentation. Carolina Hiller-Donnelly, skating in her first Olympic games might be a surprise contender!

If Canada qualifies, they will compete in the Mixed Curling Semi-Final.

On the ski hills, the Women’s Snowboard Big Air Final and Medal Presentation,

Figure Skating events are scheduled today.

Men’s NH Individual Ski Jumping and medal presentation. This event takes place on a minor hill and is judged on distance and

Women’s Ice Hockey match between Canada and Czechia.