Milano Cortina 2026 will see history made on the Olympic ice. Deanna Stellato-Dudek, at 42, is poised to become the oldest woman to compete in Olympic figure skating, a distinction she shares with Ethel Muckelt, who represented Great Britain at the same age in 1928. Stellato-Dudek’s journey to the Games, competing in pairs with Maxime Deschamps, 34, is a testament to perseverance and a refusal to accept limitations, even after a recent head injury threatened her Olympic dream.
The Canadian skater acknowledges a difference in priorities compared to many of her younger competitors. “Sometimes I see the girls at the break have an ice-cream cone on a Wednesday,” Stellato-Dudek said in a recent interview. “I’m like, ‘That must be nice, I don’t know what that’s like.’ That’s called retirement for me. That’s not a current option.” This dedication reflects a career resurrected after years away from the sport and a commitment to reaching the pinnacle of athletic achievement.
A Journey Interrupted, Then Revived
Stellato-Dudek’s initial Olympic aspirations centered around representing the United States in singles skating. However, a series of hip injuries in her teens, beginning around 2000, derailed those plans, effectively ending her pursuit of the 2006 Turin Olympics. She had previously achieved success as a junior competitor, earning a silver medal at the 1999 Junior Worlds. Following her setbacks, Stellato-Dudek transitioned to a career as an aesthetician, putting competitive skating behind her for over a decade.
The spark to return to the ice was ignited in 2016 during a workplace retreat. A seemingly simple team-building exercise – answering the question, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” – prompted an unexpected response. “I was so tired from my presentation that I just blurted out ‘Oh, I’d win an Olympic gold medal.’ But I hadn’t skated in 16 years,” she recalled. That impulsive declaration led her to rediscover her passion, starting with a search for her old skates.
Finding a Partner and a New Nation
After returning to training, Stellato-Dudek competed in pairs skating with an American partner for three seasons. Seeking a new teammate, she connected with Maxime Deschamps in Montreal. The partnership, whereas initially unconventional given Deschamps’ representation of Canada, proved to be a turning point. “It was pretty clear from the beginning there was something special there,” Stellato-Dudek said. “We were not a team that came together and was perfect right away. We’ve always had to work. It’s been part of mine and Max’s journey.”
Their dedication culminated in a Canadian championship win in 2022-23 and a fourth-place finish at the World Championships that same year. The pinnacle of their success came in 2024, when they secured the World Championship title in Montreal. Stellato-Dudek has documented much of her journey on social media, connecting with fans and sharing her experiences.
Overcoming Recent Challenges
The road to the Olympics hasn’t been without recent obstacles. After Stellato-Dudek obtained Canadian citizenship in December 2024, making her eligible to compete for Canada at the Games, the pair experienced a dip in performance. A fifth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships and a sixth-place finish at the 2025 Grand Prix Final raised concerns. Then, late last month, a head injury sustained during training in Quebec further jeopardized their Olympic participation. The duo initially withdrew from the team event, but were subsequently cleared to compete in the pairs competition earlier this week.
Deschamps acknowledged the challenges, stating before the injury, “For sure, we’re actually underdogs. At the same time, One can just go there and really just enjoy ourselves and do our best and endeavor to put the pressure on the others instead of put pressure on us.” He also described their partnership as a balance of strengths, with him bringing positivity and Stellato-Dudek providing a more serious focus. “We are really hard workers,” Deschamps said. “We are also, I always say, the yin and the yang.”
Looking Ahead to Milano Cortina 2026
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps will compete in the short program on Sunday, February 16th (1:45 p.m. ET / 10:45 a.m. PT, CBC Gem, Sportsnet+) and the free skate on Monday. While no longer considered frontrunners for a medal, their presence at the Games is a remarkable achievement. Stellato-Dudek’s story is one of resilience and determination, proving that age is no barrier to pursuing one’s dreams.
“I don’t think there are any limits in life,” Stellato-Dudek said. “The only limits you have are the ones you set on yourself.” Deschamps has announced his retirement after this season, but Stellato-Dudek remains open to continuing her skating career, regardless of the outcome in Milan. The pair’s next competitive appearance will be the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and a moment that will undoubtedly inspire athletes and fans alike.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue with figure skating events throughout the week. Further updates and schedules can be found on the official Olympic website: https://www.olympics.com/.
What do you think about Deanna Stellato-Dudek’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
