Canada eyes more success at Winter Olympics

Fresh off a historic six-gold, four-silver medal haul at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Championships in Beijing, Canada's head coach Marc Gagnon is eyeing more success at next year's Winter Olympics.

Despite its medal-winning potential, after amassing 8,731 points across six World Tour events this season, nearly 2,000 points clear of rivals like the Netherlands, Canada, dominating the Beijing worlds still exceeded Gagnon's expectations, as it swept all of the team and men's individual titles.

Canada, this season's ISU Crystal Globe team winner, claimed three titles in the men's 500m, men's 1,500m, and women's 3,000m relay on Saturday, before adding another three titles on Sunday with a dominant performance.

Steven Dubois of Canada clinched the men's 1,000m gold in one minute and 23.348 seconds, followed by his compatriot William Dandjinou in second place, while Pietro Sighel of Italy took bronze.

Canada also triumphed in the mixed relay and the men's 5,000m relay, showcasing its exceptional teamwork.

Gagnon said: "I knew that the whole team was ready, and we had the potential to win a lot of medals. But, to be frank, it did go a little over my expectations."

"I think everybody in the world is getting quicker. I don't think there is a limit yet, and we can still go even faster," Gagnon added,

Gagnon, Canada's most decorated male Olympian with three gold medals, said: "I'm very happy, because we had a really good year during the World Tour. But, the last two World Tour events, we were struggling a little more than usual.

"This weekend, we needed to get back on track in preparation for the Olympic Games. Winning at the world championships is different — it's about becoming a world champion, just like at the Olympics."

Canada's relay dominance came as a surprise, even for Gagnon.

"We didn't expect to lead China and South Korea by that margin. Their collision helped us create the gap. Otherwise, it would've been a three-country race."

"Our selection process in Canada is really hard on the skaters, because we do a lot of races to select them," Gagnon said, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining momentum across a grueling season.

"Between the World Tour and keeping them ready, we needed to do mental work to bring them back this weekend," he said. "The big job was keeping them mentally prepared, happy and fit. Physically, we had no doubt they were ready."

Asked about training strategies, Gagnon downplayed any secrets. "It's just training, but not forgetting that there's a body and a mind. Every skater is human, and we need to take care of that."

As the 2024-25 season comes to an end, Gagnon plans to give his team a break before getting back to training in mid-April. "We don't have much time to lose."

Looking forward to Milano-Cortina 2026, Gagnon tempered expectations. "Stress at the Games is always higher. If we can do two-thirds of what we did this weekend, I'd be happy," he admitted.

Canada clinched six medals, including two golds, in short-track at Salt Lake City 2002 where Gagnon competed. Now, the 49-year-old is setting his sights higher.

"We're aiming for at least seven, hopefully eight," he said.

Xinhua