Injury Sidelines Canada’s Stellato-Dudek, Deschamps from Olympic Figure Skating Event
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, top figure skaters from Canada, are facing an unexpected setback. Due to a training injury sustained by Stellato-Dudek in Quebec, they will not participate in the Olympic team event scheduled to take place in Italy later this month. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed the news on Monday.
Stellato-Dudek’s Injury Impact
While Stellato-Dudek’s injury has sidelined them from the team event, the pair has not yet withdrawn from the individual pairs event. The COC stated that Stellato-Dudek’s condition will be assessed daily to determine her eligibility for future competitions. In their absence, Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud will take their place in the pairs portion of the team event.
Upcoming Event Schedule
- Team competition begins: Friday
- Individual pairs short program: February 14
Other Withdrawals from the Olympics
In addition to Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, another Canadian athlete, snowboard cross competitor Tess Critchlow, has also withdrawn from the Olympics due to injury. Critchlow, 30, previously secured a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Recent Performances and Challenges
Last summer, Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, the reigning 2024 world champions, were optimistic about the Olympic year. However, their journey has been fraught with challenges, including a fifth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships in Boston. Their performance was marred by a season-low score during the short program.
Stellato-Dudek has faced several injuries, including shoulder, ankle, and wrist issues, while Deschamps dealt with a severe fever in November 2024, which forced them to miss the Grand Prix Final that December. Despite these challenges, Stellato-Dudek expressed a positive outlook, stating their current situation might ignite a stronger desire to succeed:
“We’re in the perfect place… Maybe this was the spot that we were meant to be in to give us the fire to push and to get back on top.”
Recent Accomplishments
In January, the duo achieved a silver medal at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Gatineau, Quebec. Stellato-Dudek had struggled with a stomach bug during the competition but remained determined: “I’m gonna skate no matter what,” she affirmed. Just before this, they had a tough outing at the Grand Prix Final in December, finishing sixth after encountering difficulties during their free skate.
Historical Significance
Should they compete in the Olympics, Stellato-Dudek, at age 42, would set a record as the oldest woman to participate in an Olympic figure skating event since British skater Ethel Muckelt in 1928.
As the situation unfolds, fans and fellow competitors will eagerly await updates on Stellato-Dudek’s recovery and the pair’s potential return to the ice for their individual competition.
