Canada Breaks Barrier with Female-Dominated Milano Cortina Squad

Canada is set to make history at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, sending a 207-athlete delegation in which, for the first time, women outnumber men. The Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed that 108 athletes will compete in women’s events, compared with 99 in men’s competitions.

The team features several family connections, including four sets of siblings and eight children of former Olympians, adding intriguing storylines to follow during the Games from February 6 to 22. Among the athletes, 109 are making their Olympic debut, while 47 are experienced competitors aiming to add more medals to their collection.

The squad also highlights the span of generations in Canadian sport, from 18-year-old snowboarder Eli Bouchard to 44-year-old curler Marc Kennedy.

“At the Olympic Games, the world doesn’t just see what athletes can do, it sees what a country is made of,” said Jennifer Heil, 2006 Olympic moguls champion and Team Canada’s Chef de Mission, reflecting on the historic nature of the team.