Stephen Gogolev’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan was anything but straightforward. Once heralded as a prodigy destined for Olympic stardom, the 21-year-old from Toronto endured a string of injuries and setbacks that nearly derailed his figure skating career. But on February 7, under the dazzling lights of the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Gogolev not only made his long-awaited Olympic debut—he delivered a performance that put Team Canada right back in the hunt for a medal in the figure skating team event.
Gogolev’s short program was a masterclass in both artistry and athleticism. Skating to the lively “Mugzy’s Move Medley”—a swing jazz compilation—he embodied a smooth-talking 1920s gangster, complete with a tailored dark suit, gold chain, and dark-striped tie. The routine was as theatrical as it was technically demanding, featuring a quad loop, quad Salchow, and a triple Axel. His jumps were clean, his spins sharp, and his storytelling on ice kept the crowd—and his teammates—on the edge of their seats.
When the scores came in, Gogolev had achieved a personal-best 92.99 points, just 6.7 points shy of his season high. That effort placed him third in the men’s short program, trailing only Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who posted a sensational 108.67, and the USA’s Ilia Malinin, who scored 98.00. More importantly, Gogolev’s result earned Canada eight crucial team points, propelling them from fifth to fourth overall and keeping podium dreams alive.
“There were definitely hard times in the past few seasons where I would get constantly injured, and doubted myself, and (doubted) if I was going to keep going with competitive skating,” Gogolev admitted to reporters after his skate. “These Olympics were the main goal, and that’s what kept me going.”
Gogolev’s Olympic debut was the culmination of years of perseverance. He first caught the world’s attention at just 10 years old, landing triple Axels and, by 13, becoming the youngest Canadian to land a quad Lutz in competition. However, a growth spurt at 15 triggered a stress fracture in his lumbar spine, forcing him to step away from competition last season and casting doubt on his future. “This is probably the best I have felt in a long time … and the most consistent,” he said after a practice session in Milan earlier in the week.
His comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. In January, Gogolev delivered a near 100-point short program at the Canadian championships in Gatineau, Quebec, narrowly missing a historic milestone previously achieved only by Patrick Chan. That performance signaled to fans and coaches alike that he was ready for the Olympic stage. “It was very exciting going onto the ice, and I felt quite confident in my training and my performance,” Gogolev reflected. “I was very happy that I was able to perform this way.”
Gogolev’s contribution was just the start of a pivotal night for Team Canada. Later that evening, ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha took to the ice for the free dance, stepping in for four-time world medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. The duo, who had learned three weeks prior they’d be handling the free dance, delivered a stirring routine to “Nureyev” from the film “The White Crow,” earning a season-best 120.90 points and finishing third behind the American pair of Madison Chock and Evan Bates (133.23) and Italy’s Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri (124.22).
“We were really stressed before, I think we realized, ‘Oh my God, it’s the Olympics,’” Lajoie said. “But the feeling when the music started was pretty amazing.” Lagha added, “We love this free dance. We love to share it and we love to create this atmosphere, so we’re really happy to have the chance to perform it one more time at the Games.” Their performance helped Canada retain fourth place in the standings, just two points behind host Italy and well within striking distance of a medal as the final day of the team event approached.
After the second day of competition, Canada had accumulated 35 points, trailing Italy (37), Japan (39), and the United States (44). The top-five countries in the ten-team field advanced to the final, with the medals to be decided in the pairs, women’s, and men’s free programs scheduled for February 8. Gogolev’s focus, however, remained squarely on the ice. “I wouldn’t say I’m really thinking about the team medal,” he said. “I’m more focusing on myself and what I can do in the moment, and obviously that is going to translate to Canada getting the highest ranking possible in this team event.”
This year’s Canadian squad has been forced to adapt. Former world pairs champion Deanna Stellato-Dudek and partner Maxime Deschamps were sidelined by injury, leaving the door open for newer faces to step up. Despite these challenges, the team’s resilience has echoed the legacy of past Canadian figure skating greats. Canada previously won gold in the team event at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and silver in 2014 at Sochi, finishing fourth in 2022 behind the United States, Japan, and Russia.
As the competition heads into its final day, the pressure is mounting but so is the excitement. The pairs free skate, women’s free skate, and men’s free skate will determine the fate of the medals. For Canada, the path to the podium is narrow but clear: strong showings from every skater, especially with the singles events likely to play a decisive role. The possibility of Gogolev anchoring the team’s medal hopes in the men’s free program is a tantalizing prospect for fans and teammates alike.
Gogolev, for his part, is soaking in every moment. “You’re in this environment where you see all the best skaters in the world, all the best athletes, really the world’s biggest stage of competition,” he said. “It still feels a bit unreal.” As he walks the Olympic village, takes in the sights, and prepares for his next skate, there’s a sense that his journey—marked by setbacks and resilience—has only just begun.
With Canada firmly in medal contention and the team event entering its most dramatic phase, all eyes will be on the ice in Milan. Whether or not the Canadians reach the podium, Stephen Gogolev’s breakout performance has already provided a jolt of hope and inspiration for the nation’s figure skating faithful. The next chapter is about to unfold, and it promises to be a thriller.