From the Mountains of B.C. to the Italian Alps, B.C. Athletes are Ready to Shine at Milano Cortina 2026

(Victoria, BC – Feb 5, 2026)

The Milano Cortina Olympic Games are here, and Team Canada is ready to take the stage in Italy. From the streets of Milan to the slopes of the Dolomites, the excitement is building as athletes prepare to compete in front of packed venues, passionate fans, and loved ones cheering from the stands. For many of these Olympians – several with strong connections to British Columbia -this moment represents years of preparation, resilience, and belief coming together under the bright lights of the Games.

Team Canada boasts a total of 206 Olympians that will compete in Italy, with 79 of them (38%) having a direct connection to British Columbia. Among these, 66 athletes (32% of Team Canada) are affiliated with the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific), having accessed programs, services, and/or training at our facilities in the lead-up to the Milano Cortina Games. Thirteen additional athletes were born and/or raised in British Columbia and spent part of their developmental years training in the province.

COPSIN Press Release
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Team Canada is bringing an additional nine accredited alternate athletes to the Games. Of those nine alternate athletes, three of them (33%) have a BC connection, and all three are CSI Pacific affiliated.

“On behalf of the Government of British Columbia, I want to congratulate Team Canada and the incredible B.C. athletes who will represent our province and country at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We are incredibly proud of what the athletes have already achieved and cannot wait to watch them compete on the global stage, showcasing not only their talent and determination, but the strength of Canadian sport and the spirit of British Columbia.”

“We are incredibly excited to see Team Canada take the stage at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games, competing in front of passionate fans, families, and supporters across Italy,” said Wendy Pattenden, CEO of the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. “After years of preparation, the opportunity to perform under Italy’s Olympic lights is both meaningful and energizing for our athletes, coaches, and sport partners.”

“It has been an extraordinary journey through this Olympic cycle, marked by resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment. We are especially proud of the strong representation of B.C.-connected athletes heading to Milano Cortina—these athletes are prepared, confident, and ready to perform when it matters most.”

“I am also deeply proud of our CSI Pacific staff, whose dedication and expertise have supported athletes every step of the way. We are all thrilled to cheer on Team Canada and celebrate the hard work that has brought them to this moment.”

Several key organizations have collaboratively supported these athletes in achieving their goals: Sport Canada’s sustained investment through the Own the Podium Program, National Sport Organizations, the Province of British Columbia, viaSport, and the Regional Sport Alliance, along with CSI Pacific, all play vital roles in nurturing young athletes and coaches throughout the province.

With the Province’s commitment to enhancing sport and increasing accessibility, B.C. connected athletes continue to gain every advantage to compete globally. By fostering a safe and competitive environment, athletes have the opportunity to develop in a variety of sports across the province. Those pursuing the performance pathway can access programs and services provided by CSI Pacific and viaSport’s Regional Alliance partners in their regions.

“It is truly inspiring to see so many of our BC athletes on the world stage as part of Team Canada for the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. Let’s remember the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship as we cheer on all of our athletes, coaches and officials,” said Andrew Price, CEO, viaSport BC. “Whether you are an athlete pursuing excellence or a weekend warrior connecting with your community, we all have a place in sport and a right to experience its benefits. Good luck to Team Canada and especially to all of our BC athletes!”

  • View full list of B.C. connected athletes in Milano Cortina [PDF]

CSI Pacific affiliated athletes won 58% of Team Canada’s medals at the Beijing 2022 Olympics and 33% of the medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, illustrating how athletes with B.C. connections continue to bring home amazing results on the world’s biggest stage, across Summer and Winter Games.

Many key factors contribute to British Columbia’s prominent position in the national and international sport landscape:

  • Government Investment: The Government of British Columbia invests approximately $50 million annually in sports.
  • viaSport’s Leadership: viaSport plays a crucial role in promoting and developing amateur sports, building a stronger, more effective, and inclusive sport system for athletes and coaches through provincial sport organizations and regional delivery partners.
  • CSI Pacific’s Expertise: Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) provides technical leadership and support to Canada’s high-performance athletes and coaches. Our mantra, “Collaborate. Serve. Innovate. Perform.,” combined with world-class training facilities, equipment, and innovations, helps elite athletes and coaches maximize their potential.
  • Collaboration with Sport Organizations: Working with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), B.C. benefits from leadership and commitment to the Long-Term Athlete Development model. This collaboration provides expertise, services, and support to B.C. athletes and coaches across more than two dozen different Olympic Summer sports.
  • BC Games Society’s Role: The BC Games Society introduces athletes to multi-sport games and the sport excellence system by hosting the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. They also manage the Team BC program for the Canada Games, fostering sport development and excellence.

Quick Facts about Team Canada’s B.C. affiliation for Milano Cortina 2026:

  • 67 athletes benefitted from CSI Pacific and/or viaSport Regional Alliance partner programs and services in the quadrennial lead up to the Games
  • 84% of the of the Olympians are affiliated with at least one member of the Canadian Olympian and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN), of which CSI Pacific is a member. When excluding the NHL players at the Games, that number jumps to 94%
  • 3 athletes attended the Canadian Sport School Victoria, a program of which CSI Pacific has oversight: Amelia Wells (Cross Country Skiing), Meryeta O’Dine and Evan Bichon (Snowboard Cross)
  • Two CSI Pacific sport scientists will be attending the Games in a professional capacity (role at the Games in parentheses):
    • Steph Joels – Physiotherapy (working with Luge Canada)
    • Alex Hodgins – Mental Performance (working with Ski Cross)

CSI Pacific will be keeping you up to date on the progress of all athletes with a B.C. affiliation competing in Paris via our newsletter with daily results from these athletes, as well as additional information about them, including their hometowns, social media channels, and competition schedules.

If you haven’t already, you can sign up for our daily newsletter,  FORZA CANADA!, here: https://www.csipacific.ca/newsletter/

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games are also coming up, starting on March 6th. Once the team has been announced, we will provide an update on the CSI Pacific affiliated athletes going to the Paralympics, as well as those who are B.C. affiliated. Go Canada! FORZA CANADA!

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About Canadian Sport Institute Pacific

Offering world-class Olympic and Paralympic training environments in Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (www.csipacific.ca) is committed to Powering Performance. Inspiring Excellence. Working with national sport organizations and fuelled by our national and provincial partners such as Sport Canada, viaSport, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Coaches Association of Canada, we are driven by our mantra to Collaborate. Serve. Innovate. Perform.

Our team of sport science, sport medicine, coaching & life services experts provide leading-edge programs and services to athletes and coaches to ensure they have every advantage to win medals for Canada. Learn more: https://www.csipacific.ca 

About The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sports Institute Network (COPSIN)

With seven locations across Canada, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) partners with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and the high-performance sport community to deliver world-class performance services and applied sport science research projects.

COPSIN is a key performance partner in the implementation of the priorities of the National High-Performance Strategy including the Game Plan program, mental health and safe sport.

Find out more at  www.copsin.ca

For more information, contact:
Noah Wheelock
Senior Manager, Communications & Operations
CSI Pacific
250.813.3474
nwheelock@csipacific.ca