Team Canada Athletes Return Home After 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
Canada’s Olympic athletes began arriving home on Monday, February 23, 2026, greeted by friends, family, and fans following their participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Warm Welcomes at Canadian Airports
Athletes were welcomed at airports across the country, including Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. Approximately a dozen supporters were present at Toronto Pearson, waving Canadian flags and seeking autographs.
Brett Gallant, a gold medalist in curling, expressed his joy at being back on Canadian soil after a month abroad. “I just feel kind of some of the Canadian pride, some of the excitement that we have been feeling from afar, but now to be home — it’s great,” he told reporters according to The Star.
Gallant highlighted the increasing competitiveness of the international curling field, stating, “The international curling field has gotten stronger and stronger over the last decade. So it is tougher now … We are pretty proud of what we accomplished.”
Media were invited to welcome the athletes and conduct interviews as they arrived, with availability organized by sport. The Canadian Olympic Committee provided details on media availability schedules.
Canada’s Performance at the Milan Cortina Games
Canada concluded the 2026 Winter Olympics with a total of 21 medals, including five gold. The team experienced a strong rebound in the second half of the Games, securing 13 medals after achieving eight medals and no gold at the halfway point. This turnaround began with Mikaël Kingsbury’s victory in the dual moguls event, a debut Olympic discipline.
Other Canadian gold medalists included the men’s curling team, Megan Oldham in freeski substantial air, Steven Dubois in the 500-metre short-track, and the long-track team pursuit team consisting of Valérie Maltais, Isabelle Weidemann, and Ivanie Blondin.
Despite a silver medal finish for the men’s hockey team, who lost 2-1 to the United States in the gold medal game, the Canadian Olympic Committee celebrated the athletes’ dedication and performance.
Challenges and Calls for Investment
Cynthia Appiah, a member of Canada’s bobsleigh team, spoke to the challenges faced by Canadian athletes due to a lack of investment. She noted that the team hadn’t received investment in their program for four years and in sled technology for six years, making it difficult to compete with nations like the United States and Germany who regularly update their equipment. As reported by The Star, Appiah emphasized the disadvantage this creates.
National Pride and Recognition
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his pride in Team Canada’s performance on social media, stating, “Could not be more proud of you, @TeamCanada. You’re coming home with 21 hard-fought Olympic medals. Though what Canadians will remember most is how you wore the Maple Leaf: with pride, with grit and with determination.”
The closing ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, inside the ancient Verona Arena, where approximately 90 of Canada’s 207 athletes participated. The Star reported on the closing ceremony.