As we count down to the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, we’re revisiting the unforgettable Team Canada moments that thrilled crowds, sparked emotion, and left a lasting impression on fans. Here are some of our favourite iconic Canadian figure skating moments throughout the years.

1948: At the St. Moritz Olympics, Barbara Ann Scott captured Canada’s first-ever Olympic gold in figure skating, a triumph that cemented her status as the nation’s sweetheart. Decades later, she is still the only Canadian woman to achieve this remarkable feat.

1976: A true artistic trailblazer, Toller Cranston transformed the landscape of men’s figure skating with his creativity and expression. One of his standout career moments came at the 1976 Innsbruck Games, where he earned bronze in the men’s event.

Barbara Ann Scott in 1948 (left) and Toller Cranson in 1976 (right).

1988: The Calgary Olympics gave Canadians lots to cheer for with Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall delivering a landmark performance, earning Canada its first-ever Olympic ice dance medal, securing bronze. Calgary also saw Elizabeth Manley and Brian Orser capture silver in the women’s and men’s events, giving fans even more to celebrate.

Elizabeth Manley (left), Tracy Wilson & Rob McCall (middle) and Brian Orser (right) at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

1994: Skating legends Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko both entered the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer as medal contenders. Stojko delighted fans with his performances that secured him the silver medal. Although Browning missed the podium, fans made their admiration known by melting down gold bracelets, wedding bands and even teeth to create an honorary gold medal for him.

1998: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz didn’t leave Nagano with a medal, but they certainly left an impact. Their innovative Riverdance free dance pushed the boundaries of ice dance and is a performance that fans still talk about today.

2002: Jamie Salé and David Pelletier’s gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics remains one of the most memorable medals in Canadian sports history. Their flawless performance initially earned them the silver medal, leaving audiences and fans worldwide stunned. The controversial decision sparked an investigation into figure skating judging, ultimately awarding Salé and Pelletier the gold and transforming how the sport is scored.

2010: One of the most moving Olympic stories unfolded at the Vancouver 2010 Games. Just days after the sudden loss of her mother, Joannie Rochette took the ice and delivered a breathtaking, courageous performance that earned her bronze. Her resilience touched hearts across the nation and remains one of Canada’s most memorable Olympic moments.

Joannie Rochette at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Vancouver also saw Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir make history as the first North Americans, and the youngest team ever, to win Olympic gold in ice dance.

2014: At the Sochi Games, Patrick Chan added to his long list of achievements with a silver medal in both the team event and the men’s competition.

Pairs team Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford further pushed the sport forward this year, becoming the first pair to land a side-by-side triple Lutz jump in Olympic competition. Four years later, they made history again by becoming the first team to complete a throw quad at the Olympics.

Patrick Chan (left) and Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford (right) at 2014 Sochi Games.

2018: The PyeongChang Games were unforgettable, with Team Canada earning four medals, including gold in the team event. Kaetlyn Osmond stunned audiences with her dramatic Black Swan free skate that earned her bronze – Canada’s record-breaking 27th medal of the Games, surpassing the previous total set at Vancouver 2010.

Virtue and Moir capped off their legendary careers with their unforgettable Moulin Rouge free dance, a passionate performance that earned them gold and became an instant Olympic classic.

Canada’s Olympic figure skating history is filled with moments that have inspired a nation, and Milano Cortina is set to continue that tradition. We can’t wait to see what new memories are made at the 2026 Games.