The 2026 Winter Olympics are approaching, with the short track speed skating World Tour kicking off in Montreal, Canada this weekend. The World Tour, a global competition for top short track skaters, has been condensed to four stops this season to accommodate the Olympics. Montreal will host the first two events, followed by Poland and the Netherlands. The world championships are scheduled to take place in Montreal in March, shortly after the Olympics.
During the World Tour meets, skaters compete in qualifying rounds over the first two days, leading to medal rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Athletes participate in three individual distances (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m) and three relays (men’s 5,000m, women’s 3,000m, mixed 2,000m), accumulating points for the Crystal Globe awards given to top skaters in each distance and the overall champion, as well as the team Crystal Globe for the country with the most points.
As it is an Olympic year, the World Tour results will determine each country’s entries for the Games and the athletes who will compete. At the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Canadian short track skaters secured four medals, aiming to surpass this performance in Milan this February and potentially break the national record of six medals from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
Canada’s dominance in short track speed skating was evident last season, with Canadian skaters winning 37 medals, including 21 golds, across the six World Tour stops. At the world championships in Beijing, Canadians claimed six out of nine events and a total of 10 medals, showcasing their prowess on the ice.
Among the standout performers was Steven Dubois, who clinched four gold medals, while Will Dandjinou emerged as a top contender, winning eight individual races and securing his first overall Crystal Globe. Dandjinou, standing tall at six-foot-three, is poised to shine at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy after missing out on the 2022 Games.
With Canada’s strong performance in short track speed skating, anticipation is high for their success at the upcoming Winter Olympics. The team’s exceptional talent and track record point towards a promising season ahead.