TORONTO — Canada will send 207 athletes to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, marking the first time that Canadian athletes competing in women’s events outnumber those competing in men’s events, according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Team Canada women make up majority
The Canadian Olympic Committee said 108 athletes will compete in women’s events, compared with 99 athletes competing in men’s events. The committee noted this is the first Olympic Winter Games where Team Canada athletes in women’s events outnumber those in men’s events.
The Games run from February 6 to February 22, 2026, with competition spread across multiple venues in northern Italy as part of the Milano Cortina 2026.
Numbers behind the delegation
Along with the athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee said the delegation will include 231 national sport organization support staff and coaches, supported by 181 Canadian Olympic Committee mission team members.
The committee’s roster notes a wide age range, from 18-year-old snowboarders to veteran athletes in their 40s, and includes a mix of Olympic rookies and returning medalists.
Chef de Mission Jennifer Heil said the Olympic Games put a country’s character on display through its athletes, in remarks included with the team announcement.
Flag bearers and opening ceremony
The Canadian Olympic Committee has also named Olympic champions Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson as Canada’s opening ceremony flag bearers. The committee said both are competing in their fourth Olympic Winter Games and will take part in the opening ceremony at Livigno Snow Park.
Gender balance at Milano Cortina 2026
The International Olympic Committee has said Milano Cortina 2026 is set to be the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games to date, with women accounting for 47% of allocated athlete quota places.
An IOC-approved event programme and quota document sets out 116 medal events for the Games, including women’s events, men’s events and mixed events, reflecting the continued expansion of women’s and mixed-gender competitions in the Winter Olympic programme.
