Canadian ice dancer Laurence Stellato-Dudek has withdrawn from the Olympic team competition in Milan due to an injury sustained during practice, as confirmed by CBC Sports here. The injury occurred on Thursday, February 1, 2026, casting a shadow over the Canadian teamS prospects.
Injury Details and Team Impact
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Stellato-Dudek,who skates with partner Maxime Deschamps,suffered an injury to her leg during a practice session. while the exact nature of the injury hasn’t been disclosed, it is indeed severe enough to prevent her from competing. The news prompted an outpouring of support on social media,with many expressing concern for Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps.
“We’re all just thinking of her and Max right now†pic.twitter.com/tjfkVeMLLt
Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud will now compete in the pairs portion of the team event. The team competition begins Friday, with the individual pairs short program scheduled for February 15. Any withdrawal for the individual pairs must be submitted one hour before the short program draw,which takes place on February 13 at 3:30 p.m. local time.
Recent Challenges for Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps
This injury adds to a challenging period for the Canadian duo. In November 2024, Deschamps fell ill with a severe fever, causing them to miss the grand Prix Final. stellato-Dudek also battled through shoulder, ankle, and wrist injuries in the lead-up to the Olympics. Despite these setbacks, they remained steadfast to compete.
At the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Gatineau, Que., last month, Stellato-Dudek and deschamps secured a silver medal, even while Stellato-Dudek was battling a stomach bug. She expressed her unwavering commitment, stating she would need to be “pry[ed] my dead body off that ice” to avoid skating according to CBC Sports.
Previous Successes and Olympic Aspirations
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps are the 2024 world champions and had been aiming to build on that success at the Milan Olympics. They won their third consecutive Skate Canada International title on November 1, 2025, demonstrating their continued strength on the international stage. At 42, Stellato-Dudek was poised to become the oldest woman to compete in an Olympic figure skating event since Ethel Muckelt in 1928.
Canada finished fourth in the team event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and was considered a strong contender for a podium finish in Milan. The United States remains the favorite to defend its olympic title.
additional Canadian Withdrawal
Snowboard Cross athlete Tess Critchlow has also withdrawn from the competition due to injury. The 30-year-old from Big White, B.C., finished sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.