Team Canada’s Opening Ceremonies Looks Throughout the Years
The Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games are pure magic—a moment when athletes from around the world unite in celebration before competition begins. For Canada’s figure skaters, walking into the stadium wearing the maple leaf is a dream come true. Over the decades, Canadian skating legends have donned everything from classic red-and-white parkas to bold, fashion-forward Olympic gear. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable Opening Ceremonies looks from Team Canada’s figure skating stars.
Beijing 2022
Team Canada marches into the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremonies in their bold red Lululemon outfits, marking a new era in Olympic fashion. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
Beijing 2022 marked a significant shift in Team Canada’s Olympic wardrobe. For the first time, Lululemon outfitted the team, and they went all-in with head-to-toe red. The sleek, modern design featured transformable parkas and red boots.
Canadian figure skaters proudly represented their country in these striking uniforms, competing with heart and carrying forward the proud tradition of Canadian figure skating excellence.
PyeongChang 2018
Tessa Virtue carries the Canadian flag as she leads Team Canada into the PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremonies, wearing the iconic red-and-black ensemble. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
PyeongChang 2018 was a golden moment for Canadian figure skating. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir had the honour of serving as Canada’s flag bearers, leading the team into the stadium. The official Team Canada uniform featured bold red jackets with black details, matching black-and-red beanies emblazoned with “CANADA,” and eye-catching red boots.
By the time the figure skating events concluded, Canada had plenty to celebrate. Virtue and Moir captured gold in ice dance, adding to their legendary Olympic legacy. To this day, their Moulin Rouge free dance continues to live rent-free in our minds. Kaetlyn Osmond skated to bronze in women’s singles, and Canada won gold in the team event.
Sochi 2014
Team Canada figure skaters wave to the crowd at the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies in their red Hudson’s Bay parkas. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
The Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies saw Team Canada bundled up in classic Hudson’s Bay red parkas with black pants and festive red-and-black toques.
Canada’s figure skaters delivered strong performances throughout the Games, bringing home three silver medals. Patrick Chan earned silver in men’s singles, while Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir added another silver in ice dance. The inaugural figure skating team event also saw Canada claim silver, showcasing the depth of talent across all disciplines.
Vancouver 2010
Team Canada celebrates at the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies, sporting the iconic Hudson’s Bay red mittens and Canada scarves that became a cultural phenomenon. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
There’s nothing quite like competing on home soil, and Vancouver 2010 was a moment Canadian athletes and fans will never forget. The Opening Ceremonies outfits became iconic: red jackets paired with those unforgettable Hudson’s Bay red mittens that took the country by storm and “CANADA” scarves featuring the famous black-and-red plaid pattern. The look was quintessentially Canadian and screamed national pride.
For Canadian figure skating, Vancouver 2010 was pure magic. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, competing in their first Olympics, stunned the world by winning gold in ice dance on home ice. Their timeless performance to Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in the free dance remains one of the most memorable moments in Canadian sports history.
Salt Lake City 2002
2002 Salt Lake City Games. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
Salt Lake City 2002 will forever be remembered for one of the most dramatic moments in Olympic figure skating history. Jamie Salé and David Pelletier captured the world’s attention and ultimately, Olympic gold after their stunning performance to “Love Story” in the pairs free skate. Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz finished just shy of the podium in ice dance, competing in their third and final Olympic Games.
Team Canada’s Opening Ceremonies outfits were provided by Roots, the iconic Canadian brand. The look featured classic red-and-white colour blocking, embodying the spirit of Canadian pride.
Lillehammer 1994
Team Canada makes a bold statement at the Lillehammer 1994 Opening Ceremonies in dramatic red capes, with figure skating legend Kurt Browning proudly carrying the Canadian flag. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
The Lillehammer 1994 Opening Ceremonies gave us one of the most memorable Olympic outfits of all time: flowing red capes worn over black pants and turtlenecks, topped with black gloves and red berets. Talk about a dramatic entrance!
Leading Team Canada into the stadium was none other than Kurt Browning, the four-time World Champion who served as Canada’s flag bearer. The Games would see strong performances from Canadian skaters, including Elvis Stojko who earned silver, Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler who captured their second Olympic bronze in pairs, and ice dance duo Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz.
Albertville 1992
Team Canada steps out at the 1992 Albertville Games in a head-to-toe white snowsuit accented with pops of red. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
At the 1992 Albertville Games, Team Canada’s opening ceremonies look broke from the tradition of dominant red. Instead, athletes stepped out in crisp white snow pants and jackets, finished with matching fur headbands. The team made an unforgettable statement as they entered the stadium behind a flag bearer dressed in a snow globe costume—proof that Canada knows how to make a snowy entrance.
Calgary 1988
Team Canada figure skaters proudly represent at the Calgary 1988 Opening Ceremonies, competing on home ice with the iconic red-and-white Olympic jackets. Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee.
Calgary 1988 was a landmark moment for Canadian sport: the Olympic Winter Games came home to Canada. The Opening Ceremonies outfits were unforgettable: bold red jackets with white fringe and cowboy hats, paying homage to Western Canadian culture. It was a distinctly Canadian look that celebrated the host city’s roots.
Canada’s figure skaters rose to the occasion. Elizabeth Manley delivered the performance of her life to win silver in women’s singles, a moment that captivated the nation. Brian Orser earned silver in men’s singles, while Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall claimed bronze in ice dance.
Grenoble 1968
The 1968 Canadian Olympic team poses in their Hudson’s Bay jackets at the airport before heading to Grenoble, sporting the iconic striped design that has become a symbol of Canadian Olympic history. Photo credit: Skate Canada archives.
The Grenoble 1968 Olympic team didn’t bring home figure skating medals, but they did bring serious style. The iconic Hudson’s Bay jackets featuring bold horizontal stripes in red, white, green, and gold have become legendary in Canadian Olympic fashion history.
Innsbruck 1964
Team Canada’s 1964 Olympic figure skating contingent poses in their official uniforms before the Innsbruck Games, where Canadian skaters would make history on the ice. Photo credit: Skate Canada archives.
The Innsbruck 1964 Olympics marked a milestone for Canadian figure skating. Debbi Wilkes and Guy Revell captured silver in pairs, while Petra Burka won bronze in women’s singles.
The official Team Canada uniforms of the era featured tailored jackets with simple, classic lines. The look was understated and elegant, reflecting the formality of 1960s Olympic fashion.
From flowing red capes to all-red Lululemon ensembles, from Hudson’s Bay classics to retro ’90s tracksuits, Canadian figure skaters have always brought their A-game to the Opening Ceremonies and the Olympics. Stay in the loop – subscribe to our Olympic Newsletter for daily updates, news, and highlights from the Games, delivered straight to your inbox.